No health or safety incidents were recorded at 29Metals’ Capricorn copper mine in Queensland after bushfires were reported near the operation.
The precious metals producer said conditions have eased since the bushfires took place on October 25 and the Capricorn site team are monitoring fires in the area.
“29Metals has not identified any impact to primary infrastructure such as the processing plant or other surface infrastructure associated with preparedness or capability for treated water releases during the wet season,” the company said.
“Based on initial assessment of impact, damage was contained to pipelines associated with water diversion infrastructure near the southern boundary of the site impacting the ability to pump water from these locations.”
29Metals will continue assessing damage to its Capricorn infrastructure to define timing and costs for remediation, including the impact to its 2024 calendar year cost guidance.
Bushfires have also impacted Sibanye-Stillwater’s Century zinc operation in Queensland.
With all personnel were safe and accounted for, Sibanye said its operations team managing the bushfire at Century and its neighbouring areas were able to protect the primary infrastructure at Century operation.
However, the company has experienced extensive loss of surface piping infrastructure, including the feed and water lines that connected the hydro mine to the processing plant and other key service lines. As a result, the Century operations will remain suspended until November 16.
Extreme weather has also impacted BHP’s Olympic Dam copper mine in South Australia.
Wild storms damaged electricity transmission towers in northern South Australia last week, with Olympic Dam – located 560km north of Adelaide – being forced to pause its operations, with surface infrastructure running on backup generators.
BHP is working with electricity transmission infrastructure group ElectraNet to assess the damage and expedite repairs.
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