Xstrata Nickel Raglan Mine invests in the development of new mining projects in Nunavik
ROUYN-NORANDA, QC, Aug. 2, 2011 /CNW/ --
ROUYN-NORANDA, QC, Aug. 2, 2011 /CNW Telbec/ - Xstrata plc (Xstrata) has
approved today investments totalling US$530 million for developing new
mining projects at the Raglan Mine in Nunavik.
With this major investment, Raglan Mine can go forward with constructing
the Qakimajurq Mine and extending the depth of Mine 2, undertake major
construction to the accommodations complex and make other improvements
to related infrastructure.
Mike Welch, Vice-President, Xstrata Nickel Raglan mine said: 'By
investing US$530 million in Raglan Mine, Xstrata Nickel is once again
demonstrating its confidence in Québec's mineral potential in the
north. Raglan continues to grow and the future outlook for our activity
in Québec is very promising.'
Together, these two high grade projects will increase nickel in
concentrate production to 32,000 tonnes per annum by 2014 while
maintaining the plant's production rate of 1.3 million tonnes of ore
per annum. In addition, the processing plant will be upgraded in 2013
to enable it to handle the new, high-grade ore and reach a production
rate of 40,000 tonnes of nickel in concentrate per annum by 2016.
'These investments complement the intention of the Government of
Quebec's North Plan, which aims to promote the sustainable development
of Quebec's far north and its resources. We are proud to play a key
role in helping to achieve this objective. Thanks to this new
investment, we will help stimulate Nunavik's economy and maintain
annual employment for approximately 1,000 jobs for years to come, while
continuing to demonstrate best practices in sustainable development and
partnering with our local communities and other stakeholders,' added
Mr. Welch.
Ends
Neither the content of the company's website nor the content of any
other website accessible from hyperlinks on the company's website is
incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.
Contacts
Francis Beauvais
Communications and Public Affairs
Xstrata Nickel Raglan Operations
Tel: 819 763-0224
Email:
fbeauvais@xstratanickel.ca
Editors Notes
Xstrata plc
Xstrata is a global diversified mining group, listed on the London and
Swiss Stock Exchanges. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Xstrata
maintains a meaningful position in seven major international commodity
markets: copper, coking coal, thermal coal, ferrochrome, nickel,
vanadium and zinc with additional exposure to gold, cobalt, lead and
silver. The Xstrata Group also comprises a growing platinum group
metals business, iron ore projects, recycling facilities and a suite of
global technology products, many of which are industry leaders. The
Group's operations and projects span 21 countries.
Xstrata Nickel
Xstrata Nickel, headquartered in Toronto, Canada, is one of Xstrata
Group's global commodity businesses. Xstrata Nickel's operations
include mines and processing facilities in Canada, the Dominican
Republic and Australia, and a refinery in Norway. Xstrata Nickel has a
promising portfolio of growth projects in New Caledonia, Tanzania and
Brazil. Xstrata Nickel is the world's fifth largest nickel producer,
with annual managed production of more than 92,000 tonnes of refined
nickel.
Xstrata Nickel Raglan Mine
The Raglan operation consists of three underground mines; a fourth mine,
Kikialik, is under construction, and scheduled to start commercial
production in 2012. Raglan also operates a concentrator, an
accommodation complex, port facilities at Deception Bay, and an
airstrip at Donaldson. The ore from the mine is crushed, ground and
treated at the Raglan mill to produce a nickel-copper concentrate. The
concentrator has a milling capacity of 3,600 tons per day and an
estimated annual production capacity of 30,000 tonnes of
nickel-in-concentrate.
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| Francis Beauvais Communications and Public Affairs Xstrata Nickel Raglan Operations Tel: 819 763-0224 Email: fbeauvais@xstratanickel.ca | |