Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Carlota copper mine to wind down production



QuadraFNX Mining is 'winding down' its Carlota copper mine near Globe, due to higher costs and lower expected production. The company says "the Carlota Mine is a heap leach -- SX-EW operation in the west end of the Miami-Globe mining district of east-central Arizona. Production of copper cathode at the Carlota Mine commenced in December 2008." It was expected to operate until 2020. Rumors are that the winding down operations could last a couple of years. [right, Carlota Mine. Credit McCook Boiler & Pump Co. Update 3-20-12: comments indicated that the original picture I posted was from Carlota, rather than McCook Boiler & Pump Co. as I understood. Later, it was stated the photo is not Carlota. So, I'm replacing it with one that I feel more confident really is Carlota. Credit, Quadra Mining]   [update 1-23-13:  another comment that the new photo is also not Carlota.  I replaced with one from Infomine described as Carlota.  Do we have it right yet?]

The company's outlook states:

"While oxide ore recovery rates were significantly enhanced with conveyor stacking, preliminary bulk sample leach tests indicate that sulphide material at Carlota, due to be mined in 2012, is unlikely to be economic at the Company’s long term copper price forecast. Therefore, the new life-of-mine plan will focus on mining readily available oxide ores followed by residual leaching."

"...the Company is continuing to evaluate the leaching of sulphides, the mining of the Edar
deposit on the Carlota property, as well as other strategic options. Based on performance to date, 2011 cathode production at Carlota is expected to be in the lower half of the previously revised range of 20 to 30 million pounds."

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:04 AM

    That picture was taken by my boss here at Carlota nothing to do with McCook!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous6:40 PM

    also this is not Carlota

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous3:21 PM

    This picture is of the Pinto Valley Operation adjacent to Carlota, but again, not Carlota.

    ReplyDelete