In other developments, two semi- mobile crushers have been installed in the Valley pit, along with a conveyor system. The latter consists of four main overland conveyors, each about 1.25 km long, arranged in two parallel flights. This portable crushing/conveying system follows mining activity as the pit becomes deeper. The conveyors move radially from a surge pile situated at the rim of the ultimate pit. “What the system eliminates is costly truck haulage to the Highmont mill (formerly the Lornex plant) and also a steep climb from the Valley pit,” says Doug Guild, vice- president and general manager of Highland Valley Copper. The entire system is controlled by fibre optics, which also detect trouble spots such as overheating of motors, metal scrap in the ore, and ripped conveyor belts.
The crushers, manufactured by Krupp of West Germany, are each designed to crush 6,000 tonnes of ore, and Guild reports that results are proving satisfactory.
It’s expected that the cost of moving the Highmont mill will be recouped in four to five years, says Highland Valley Copper President Poul Hansen. He adds that the combined crusher/conveyor and the Highmont installation will lead to a significant reduction in unit costs.
Proven and probable reserves are estimated to be 768 million tonnes with an average grade of 0.399% copper and 0.0065% moly.
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