GLOBAL NEWS
Safety always remained at the core of the project, so conditions
were monitored, and the transportation was slowed down if
required. To overcome the heavy snowfall and ice, specialist
vehicles had to be brought in to clear the snow and applied
substances to de-ice the roads.
PERU:
GREAT PANTHER’S BULK
SAMPLE POSITIVE
Great Panther has approved a positive production decision for
its 100%-owned Coricancha gold-silver-lead-zinc-copper mine
in Peru. The decision was based on the final results of the trial
stope and bulk sample program (BSP), which confirmed the
key operating assumptions for Coricancha contained in the
Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).
"We are pleased with the results of the BSP and look forward to
advancing Coricancha towards commercial production," says
James Bannantine, president and CEO of Great Panther. "The
actual restart date is expected in the first half of 2020 and will be
aligned with our other mining operations to ensure the project
has the necessary planning and resources in place to optimise
operations and profitability. Coricancha is expected to produce
approximately 40 000 gold equivalent ounces annually and
will be an important addition to Great Panther's production
portfolio going forward, Bannantine adds.
MONGOLIA:
RIO RECONSIDERS MINE DESIGN
Enhanced geotechnical information and data modelling at
mining giant Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi underground gold and
copper mine in Mongolia suggests that there may be some
stability risks identified with the approved mine design.
According to Stephen McIntosh, group executive, growth and
innovation at Rio Tinto, a number of other design options are
under consideration to complete the project. “Studies to date
indicate that these options may result in some of the critical
underground infrastructure, such as the mid-access drive and
the ore handling system, being relocated or removed. Options
relating to the sequence of crossing the panel boundaries
during mining operations are also being analysed,” says
McIntosh.
These options are being evaluated to determine the final design
of the first panel of mining, ‘Panel 0’, and this work is anticipated to
continue until early 2020. Given the further technical work which
is needed, the Definitive Estimate, which will include the final
estimate of cost and schedule for the remaining underground
project, is now expected to be delivered in the second half of
2020, reflecting the preferred mine design approach.
All options under consideration present a pathway to
sustainable first production, and have different cost and
schedule implications. To date, these have been defined to a
level of accuracy associated with a Conceptual Study or Order
of Magnitude Study, and, therefore, significantly more work is
required to complete the final assessment.
16
African Mining October 2019
Preliminary information now suggests that, depending on which
mine design options are adopted, first sustainable production
could be achieved between May 2022 and June 2023, a delay
of 16 to 30 months compared to the original feasibility study
guidance in 2016. This range includes contingency of up to eight
months, reflecting the unexpected and challenging geotechnical
issues, complexities in the construction of shaft 2 and the
detailed work still required to reach a more precise estimate.
“The ground conditions are more challenging than expected and
we are having to review our mine plan and consider a number
of options. Delays are not unusual for such a large and complex
project, but we are very focused as a team on finding the right
pathway to deliver this high value project,” says McIntosh.
“Oyu Tolgoi is a world-class ore body and a world-class business
that is already producing copper, employing about 16 000
people and benefitting Mongolia through taxes, royalties and
significant procurement.
The Project continued to progress in 2019 towards its path to
become one of the largest copper mines in the world. Since
February, key below ground infrastructure such as the control
room facility and the jaw crusher system are now complete
and construction of shafts 3 and 4 is progressing well. The
commissioning of shaft 2 remains on track for October 2019.
AUSTRALIA:
GOVERNMENT APPROVES
100-YEAR-PLAN
BHP’s ambitious expansion proposal for the Pilbara over the
next century has been given approval by the Western Australian
Government. The 50- to 100-year strategic mining proposal
outlines bold plans for new and existing mines within the region,
alongside a vision to create tens of thousands of jobs in the state.
BHP’s proposal details the mining giant’s strategy across the
Pilbara, including mining operations, rail, storage areas, dams
and associated mine infrastructure. It also looks to facilitate
a more ‘holistic view’ of mining activities in the region by
identifying and assessing how impacts to the environment at a
landscape scale will be managed.
Western Australian premier Mark McGowan said the proposal
was a ‘major job-creating plan’ for the state. “It is another sign
our economy is improving with the major miner taking a long-
term view of its proposals in the state,” he said.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has also
recommended environmental approval of BHP’s strategic
proposal with conditions attached. The EPA assessed the
impacts to flora and vegetations, fauna, water quality and
quantity, air quality, as well as social surrounds.
Western Australian environmental minister Stephen Dawson
said the Pilbara region held ‘immense environmental value’ and
the EPA assessment ensured the proposal did not significantly
impact regional environmental values.
“The EPA gave BHP’s strategic proposal careful consideration,
including considering the impacts to fauna, flora, surface and
ground water, air quality, landforms and social surrounds,”
he said.
www. africanmining.co.za