ONTARIO XSTRATA COPPER (headquartered in Brisbane, Australia) will invest $121 million to deepen and extend the life of its underground Kidd copper-zinc mine near Timmins. Already the world's deepest copper-zinc mine, the new project will extend the mining zone at Mine D from 2,775 metres to 2,895 metres. The mine life will be extended by one year to 2017 during which time an additional 3.4 million tonnes of ore grading 1.48% Cu, 6.22% Zn, 0.28% Pb and 80 g/t Ag will be recovered.
The Kidd mine began operations in 1966 and now employs close to 2,200 workers and contractors. The Mine D expansion project was completed in 2006 at a capital cost of $664 million . That project included the development of the Mine D shaft which extends to 3,015 metres below surface and established production areas at 2,680 metres. The mine produces around 45,000 t/y of copper and 130,000 t/y of zinc contained in concentrates, and this latest project will enable the extension of current rates to 2017.
Visit www.Xstrata.com/operation/kidd for a description and flow sheets of the operation.
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