NORTHERN ONTARIO The Kidd Creek copper smelter at Timmins has been shut down due to the unexpected failure of the cooling elements in the roof of the converting furnace. Replacement and repair will coincide with a decision to advance the maintenance shutdown originally scheduled for July.
"A water leak developed on the cooling system for the converting furnace roof," stated Daniel Picard, general manager of FALCONBRIDGE's Kidd Metallurgical Division. "Cooling water came in contact with the molten copper in the furnace, with the resulting reaction causing damage to a section of the furnace roof," he said. An investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the failure.
Owner Falconbridge anticipates that the temporary closure will have a minimal effect on planned annual copper cathode production, although near-term deliveries will be interrupted. Updates on the situation will be posted in the Newsroom at www.falconbridge.com.
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