Townsville Bulletin

Dugald hits million mark

Zinc mine celebrates milestone

- TONY RAGGATT

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.

 ??  ?? Zinc concentrat­es being loaded at Townsville Port.
Zinc concentrat­es being loaded at Townsville Port.

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