Anglo-Swiss miner Xstrata's zinc division has proposed to expand its Black Star Open Cut (BSOC) mine in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia through an AU$133 million (US$121.6 million) project which will potentially extend the life of the mine at current production rates by four years to 2016.
Xstrata Zinc Australia chief operating officer Brian Hearne said that the project remains subject to internal and external approvals but, if approved, the BSOC ‘Deeps' project would ensure the mine's sustainability and maintain current employment levels. A feasibility study into the expansion commenced in 2009 and technical studies are continuing.
The project is expected to be submitted for approval to Xstrata's executive committee in April 2010.
The extension beyond 2012 will enable the company to maximize use of a nearby ore concentrator, which is being modified to increase input to 8 million mt annually.
The BSOC Deeps project would deepen the existing pit and target ore at a depth of 400 meters below ground surface level, 100 meters below the current design. This is expected to add approximately 14 million mt of ore to the production profile at a rate of up to 4.6 million mt per year.
Around half of all zinc produced by Xstrata is used for galvanizing steel.