Faulty mill causes copper worries for BHP
PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Diversified giant BHP Billiton has warned of a copper production loss of between 60 000 t and 70 000 t from its Olympic Dam operation, in South Australia, as the Svedala mill remained idled.
The mill suffered an electrical failure at the end of January this year, and was placed in maintenance while the review was undertaken.
A diagnostic review was undertaken on the Svedala mill, which forms part of the Olympic Dam surface processing operations, and revealed damage to the motor stator coil.
BHP said on Friday that a repair and remediation plan was being developed; however, the mill would remain out of service for about six months.
The Svedala mill was the largest of three mills on-site, and while the two smaller grinding mills at Olympic Dam would continue to operate at full capacity, processing activities at the operation would be scaled back.
In the meantime, the major would bring forward maintenance activities and preparatory work to support the underground extension of the Southern mine area, at the Olympic Dam operation.
A return to full production was expected by the end of the September quarter.
The Olympic Dam operation suffered a fatality earlier this week when an underground rockfall claimed the life of a 47-year-old man.
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