Metalnewsnet 25 Mar:

It is been reported that Zambia copper producer Kansanshi Mine plc plans to sink 4,600 meters decline shaft aimed at increasing the capacity to dewater the main open pit from the current 45,000 cubic meters of water per day.

Mr Godfrey Msiska spokesperson said that the mine owned by Vancouver based First Quantum Minerals Plc said dewatering was a major concern during the rainy season but was an essential process to protect the mine for its full projected life. The company is now inviting tenders from prospective bidders to develop the decline shaft intended to help dewater the open pit.

Mr Msiska said that “The shaft is purely for dewatering of the main pit at Kansanshi Mine. We are currently pumping 45,000 cubic meters of water per day from the main pit and this is likely to increase in future so we are simply taking long term measures to address this problem.”

Normal mining operations will continue while the new decline shaft was being developed and that production is unlikely to be affected. Production will not be affected by this activity. How long it will take and how much it will cost will only be determined once bids have been received, evaluated and the contract awarded to the successful bidder.

The company hopes to have more information on the planned program after the closure of bids on April 21 this year. First Quantum Mining which also owns Bwana Mkubwa mine in the copper belt region of Zambia also the Kansanshi project, located in the North Western Province of Zambia near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo border.

According to official data, Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings owns a minority 20% shares in the Kansanshi mine. The Kansanshi project is expected to be developed in 2 phases. Phase I development will focus on open pit mining and processing of shallow oxide and mixed ores, although significant quantities of primary sulphide ore will also be treated, measured and indicated mineral resources at 0.5% copper cut off total 302 million tonnes at 1.17% copper and 0.17 grams per tonne gold, while Phase I proven and probable mining reserves are 142 million tonnes grading 1.43% copper and 0.22 grams per tonne gold.

During the 16 year, Phase I mine life, Kansanshi is expected to produce 1.6 million tonnes of copper, approximately 44% as copper cathode and 56% as copper in concentrate. In June 2004 First Quantum Minerals reported that the project was approximately 79% complete with construction being 59% complete. USD 90.4 million of direct capital costs of the process plant has been committed.

(From  steelguru)