Zinkgruvan, Sweden
Zinc Lead Silver mine
The Zinkgruvan mine is located approximately 200 km south-west of Stockholm, Sweden. Zinkgruvan has been producing zinc, lead and silver on a continuous basis since 1857. The operation consists of an underground mine and processing facility with associated infrastructure and a present nominal production capacity of 1 million tonnes of ore throughput.
The Company has commenced the development of the Zinkgruvan copper deposit which lies adjacent to the existing zinc deposits. In addition to facilitating copper production, this expansion is intended to improve zinc mining flexibility through a second underground crusher and a daylight ramp access.
Zinkgruvan Optimization and Expansion Opportunities- Zinkgruvan 2012 Copper Plant: For 2012, the copper plant at Zinkgruvan is expected to have approximately 150kt of excess throughput capacity, which could be used to process any additional zinc ore that may be mined. The new copper plant has already been proven to be able to successfully process zinc ore giving the operation additional flexibility to respond to anticipated zinc market demand.
Zinkgruvan Mine
| Location |
Approximately 200 km south-west of Stockholm, Sweden |
| Ownership |
100% |
| Type of ore body |
Sedimentary exhalative zinc, lead, copper and silver |
| Primary metal |
Zinc |
| Secondary metal |
Lead, silver, copper |
2P reserves
Zinc-rich ores
Copper-rich ores |
10.6mt @ 9.2% Zn; 4.4% Pb; 93g/t Ag
2.8mt @ 2.6% Cu, 0.4% Zn, 32 g/t Ag |
| Type of mine |
Underground |
| Mine facilities and method |
Two shafts access the mine with a ramp from surface under construction. Mining based on panel stoping and benching |
| Processing facilities |
A zinc plant (1.1mtpa capacity); a copper plant was commissioned in 2010 (0.3mtpa planned processing); tailings impoundment; and backfill plants |
| End product |
Zinc in concentrate (grading approx. 54%); Lead in concentrate (grading approx. 75%) |
| Expected mine life |
10+ years |
| Employees |
320 full time employee equivalents |
| Potential growth |
In late 2010, the copper plant was commissioned and is expected to reach design production of 7,000 tpa of copper in 2013. In November 2010, an access ramp from the surface to the underground workings was completed, allowing a significant increase in the mine's operational flexibility. |
| 2011 Targets |
|
| Production |
Zinc |
|
Lead |
|
Copper |
Cash costs |
USc/lb |
|
76,000 tonnes contained in ore
34,000 tonnes contained in ore
1,500 tonnes contained in ore
32c/lb Zn
|
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Quarterly Operations Update
