Industry News

摘要

BHP Billiton has confirmed that the Tintaya sulphide operation (90,000tpy Cu in concentrate), which was shut temporarily at the end of 2001, will remain closed "until at least 2003". The new Tintaya SXEW operation (34,000tpy), started in April this year, will continue to produce at its planned rate. However, BHP Billiton has announced that a further 80,000t of copper-in-concentrate will be cut from planned production at Escondida and as a result output will be "slightly less" in calendar 2002 than calendar 2001. Production in 2001 was 643,000t Cu in concentrate and 151,000t SXEW cathode. The reduction will be made in concentrate production as work needs to be carried out on the existing concentrator. Prior to the announcement concentrate production had been running at 538,000tpy Cu. However, Phase IV is expected on line in September and the additional output should enable Escondida to achieve 640,000tpy Cu in concentrate this year. Japan's Nippon Mining and Metals and Mitsui Mining and Smelting are to merge two of their joint ventures. Pan Pacific Copper, set up by the two companies in May 2000 to handle refined copper sales, will absorb United Copper Resources in July. From April 2003 Pan Pacific Copper will be responsible for both raw material procurement and finished product sales.