MINERAL PROCESSING: Fire reported in Osisko’s Malartic mill

QUEBEC – Osisko Mining Corp. of Montreal reported on May 10, 2012, that there had been a fire in its Malartic gold mill. Evidently, the fire was started by welding in proximity to the No.4 cyclone area about 11:45 pm on May 9 and spread to the roof of that sector. The fire was extinguished about 4:30 am on May 10.

Osisko noted that proper emergency procedures were followed and there were no injuries to staff or emergency workers during the incident. No industrial chemicals or toxic gases were released during the fire.

The No.4 cyclone bank will be rebuilt. While that happens, the SAG mill, ball mill and crusher wear steel will be replaced, work that was to have been done in a scheduled maintenance shut down in mid-May.

The company says production will resume shortly using the three undamaged cyclone banks at a reduced throughput. Mining activity in the pit was not affected by last week’s fire.

More information about the Canadian Malartic mine and mill is posted at Osisko.com.