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BHP reviewing Chile, Canada project timelines amid Covid outbreak

The Spence operation, in Chile.

The Spence operation, in Chile.

21st April 2020

By: Esmarie Iannucci

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Australasia

     

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PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Diversified giant BHP on Tuesday reported that it was reviewing the scheduling of two of its major projects following the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic.

BHP told shareholders that the schedule for the $2.46-billion Spence Growth Option, at the Spence copper mine, in Chile, was being reviewed, with first production potentially being delayed past December 2020 as a result of measures taken to facilitate physical distancing protocols.

BHP noted that first production at the Spence Growth Option is still expected to be in the 2021 financial year.

The Spence Growth Option would extend the mine life of the copper project by more than 50 years, with incremental production in the first ten years reaching around 185 000 t/y of payable copper in concentrate, and 4 000 t/y of payable molybdenum.

BHP also said that the timing to complete the shafts at its Jansen potash project, in Canada, was also under review, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In March this year, final shaft lining work at Jansen for two shafts was reduced to focus on one shaft at a time, as a result of reduced crews as part of BHP’s measures to combat the spread of the virus.

The miner said that it would continue to assess the impacts of Covid-19 and the temporary reduction in activity at Jansen.

BHP is spending $2.6-billion at Jansen to finish the excavation and lining of the production and service shafts, and to continue with the installation of essential surface infrastructure and utilities. Once in production, the mine will be capable of producing ten-million tonnes a year of potash over a mine life of more than 50 years.

The miner further reported said that it was reviewing its capital and exploration expenditure guidance for the 2021 financial year, adding that it would be lower than the current guidance of $8-billion.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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