Dugald hits million mark
Zinc mine celebrates milestone
ONE of the world’s top zinc mines, MMG’S Dugald River project near Cloncurry, has celebrated the production and export of one million tonnes of zinc concentrate.
The company, which started production three years ago almost to the day, marked the achievement with a function in Townsville this week.
The city is the export port for the mine which sends concentrates to smelters in China and to markets in Japan and South Korea.
Dugald River Mine general manager Tim Akroyd said the achievement continued to cement the company’s global presence in the industry.
“The success of this accomplishment is attributable to our hardworking team on site, and our strong partnerships with Wagners, Aurizon and NSS,’’ Mr Akroyd said.
“Together we have been able to achieve greater efficiency and accommodate an increase in production vol
umes above our original estimates.”
Townsville Port chief operations officer Drew Penny said it was a significant achievement.
“It is great to see a project of this magnitude running so successfully and sustaining jobs in the region from Cloncurry to Townsville,’’ Mr Penny said.
“I’d also like to congratulate MMG and their stevedore, Northern Stevedoring Services, in building efficiencies and achieving some impressive loading rates at the port.”
In its September quarter production report, MMG said
Dugald River produced 46,081 tonnes of zinc in zinc concentrate, and 6401 tonnes of lead in lead concentrate during the period, 6 per cent and 15 per cent higher than the June 2020 quarter respectively.
It said the addition of new mining equipment, and the ongoing benefits of work over the first half of the year to open up new operating areas, had seen continued success.
Monthly records for ore mined were set in July and August, with a quarterly record set for the period overall.
Also, near mine drilling suggested a wider zinc ore body than originally expected which could extend the mine life beyond the current 20-plus years.
The company said a combination of lower production from other large zinc mines because of COVID-19 and smelters in China building up stock for the northern winter has seen spot treatment charges for zinc and lead concentrate fall to levels which are highly favourable and well below the annual benchmark.