MINERAL PROCESSING: New Endako moly mill reaches target throughput

BRITISH COLUMBIA - Denver-based Thompson Creek Metals reports that the new Endako molybdenum concentrator near the town of the same name reached its commercial production rate of 55,000 t/d on Feb. 1, 2012. That is a 77% increase over the old rate of 33,000 t/d. The expansion project cost approximately $630 million.

The company is still using the cleaner and regrind circuit in the old mill until the circuit in the new mill is completed in Q1 2012.

"We are extremely pleased to have achieved the full design tonnage for the new mill just 20 days into the commissioning and start-up process," said Kevin Loughrey, chairman and CEO of Thompson Creek. "Once at full production, the Endako mine is expected to increase molybdenum production from approximately 10 million pounds per year to approximately 16 million pounds per year (100% basis)," he added.

Thompson Creek also said the Endako mine and mill will produce molybdenum at a cash cost of between $8.25 to $9.25 per pound in 2012.

Learn more at www.ThompsonCreekMetals.com.