COMMISSIONING BEGINS AT SANTA RITA
An Operating License has been awarded for the mine by the environmental authorities, which reflects practical completion of the project. All environmental and operating licenses have now been awarded for the 6.4Mtpa production capacity.
The primary crusher was run for several hours and about 1000 tonnes of crushed ore was conveyed and stockpiled at the mill feed tunnel stockpile. Commissioning of the SAG and ball mills is expected to start shortly.
All substations for the operation have been commissioned and are fully energised. Power is supplied at 230KV from the national power grid only 7km away.
Details of the project status are as follows:
· Stockpiled ore now totals about 245,000 tonnes
· Mining capacity on site is currently about 25,000 tonnes of rock per day
· The second mining fleet delivery is expected by the end of October, increasing capacity to about 60,000 tonnes of rock per day
· Additional equipment arrivals during November and December will increase mining capacity to 100,000 tonnes of rock per day by year end.
· Commissioning of the primary crusher and conveyors is under way
· The SAG and ball mills are aligned on their bearings. Installation of ring gears and drive mechanisms has been completed and the liner installation is underway, so commissioning of the mills is expected to start shortly.
· Flotation cells, thickeners, blowers, reagent plant, air, water, analysers and automated control systems are all pre-commissioned and ready for full commissioning under load
· The Larox filter is ready for full commissioning under load
· A laboratory facility for assays and bench float test work is now operational and being used for grade control.
· The tailings dam is complete
· The operating team has been running the plant on a continuous 24 hour basis since mid-September on wet load (without the mills) in order to check systems and ensure smooth handover from the construction team to the operation team upon completion of commissioning.
· Maintenance facilities for the mining fleet are expected to be fully operational by end of October.
Ramp-up to full operating capacity of 6.4Mtpa is anticipated to take about one year with installation of a second ball mill planned for Q1 2010. The foundations and infrastructure for the second ball mill have already been built.
At full production, Santa Rita is expected to produce 26,000 tonnes of nickel in concentrate a year.
A new website will be launched shortly to reflect the Company’s status as a fledgling producer.
For and on behalf of the Board
Nick Poll
Managing Director
Craig Burton
Corporate Director
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