TORONTO, Feb. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- First Quantum
Minerals Ltd. ("First Quantum" or the "Company", TSX Symbol
"FM") (TSE: FM) reports that the hydrometallurgical plant
at Cobre Las Cruces has resumed copper production with the
processing of lower-grade stockpiled ore. The stockpiled ore
is expected to provide feed for the next several months while the
Company obtains the necessary regulatory approvals to begin mining
at Phase 6, an area unaffected by the incident.
The Company previously reported that a major land slippage
occurred at the Cobre Las Cruces operation (see press releases
dated January 23 and January 28), located in Gerena, Seville Province, Spain, that resulted in the shut-down of the
open pit operation and management decided to shut down the
hydrometallurgical complex. Prior to the incident mine
personnel identified a risk and immediately implemented safety
protocols. Following the incident, the pit was evacuated and no
injuries occurred. The slippage mainly affected the north slope of
the mine pit and part of the mine waste storage area. These
materials, mostly clay, were displaced to the interior of the pit
and covered the majority of the pit floor, but did not impact the
area containing Phase 6 or access to that area.
The investigation of the incident causes and impact continues
with the involvement of the required Government authorities and
independent geotechnical experts. The investigation is
expected to take some time to complete.
While the investigation is being completed, work to repair the
pit will continue aimed at resuming normal mining activity which
can occur once regulatory approvals have been received. Mining is
expected to resume at Phase 6 which was not affected by the
slippage and contains the majority of the resource remaining in the
current ore body.
The company is dedicating all the necessary resources to respond
to the incident. The safety of people and the protection of the
environment are the first priority for Cobre Las Cruces and the
Company. Additional information will be provided as
available.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors of First Quantum Minerals
Ltd.
G. Clive Newall
President
For further information visit our website at
www.first-quantum.com
North American contact: Lisa
Doddridge, Director, Investor Relations; Tel: (416)361-6400,
Toll Free: 1(888)688-6577, E-Mail: lisa.doddridge@fqml.com;
United Kingdom contact:
Clive Newall, President; Tel:
+44-7802-721663, Fax: +44-140-327-3494, E-Mail:
clive.newall@fqml.com
