LONDON--Xstrata PLC's (XTA.LN) Zinc division Friday announced
plans to increase ore production by a further 33% to 1.6 million
tonnes per annum at its high-grade Lady Loretta mine in north-west
Queensland, Australia, saying the latest 59.2 million Australian
dollar project brings the total investment to date to 362.2 million
Australian dollars, or 356.4 million dollars.
MAIN FACTS:
-Study identified an opportunity to increase the maximum output
of the Lady Loretta mine by reviewing stoping sequences over the
life of mine, the second project announced this year to accelerate
production.
-Expansion will allow the earlier recovery of resources from
several of Lady Loretta's upper ore bodies and will increase the
number of stoping levels available in the underground mine in
future
-Investing in larger ore handling facilities, increased mobile
and fixed plant equipment including an expanded ventilation system,
more village accommodation and utilities upgrades
-Construction is well advanced on the concrete batch plant,
paste plant, warehouse, fuel farm and power station with surface
infrastructure now 56% complete.
-Write to Ed Ballard at ed.ballard@dowjones.com
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