The maiden delivery of concentrate from OZ Minerals’ Prominent Hill copper-gold mine in South Australia has been dispatched to the Port of Darwin in the Northern Territory.
Prominent Hill production is on track and projected to reach full capacity in the near future, OZ Minerals CEO Andrew Michelmore said.
“Since first production in late February, the ramp up of the processing plant has progressed very well,” he said.
“The operation has now reached a production rate of around 80% and, as planned, is expected to reach its nameplate rate by the end of the year.”
OZ said it expects to deliver approximately 600 tonnes of concentrate per day, six days per week to the port, with concentrate then be shipped from Darwin to smelters across Asia.
The Prominent Hill mine will remain part of OZ Minerals after Treasurer Wayne Swan last week refused to allow it to be included in a proposed $2.6 billion takeover bid from China Minmetals.