MMG says the new solar farm at its Dugald River operations in Australia has hit the commerical operation milestone, two months after construction was completed.

Reporting in its March quarter results, the company said it expected the solar project to reduce the mine’s carbon footprint and provide immediate energy cost savings, with approximately one-third of gas-fired power used in Dugald River operations expected to be replaced.

Back in late-2021, MMG signed an agreement with APA Group to construct 44 MW of capacity to serve the Dugald River zinc-lead mine in Queensland, with operations expected in the March quarter of 2023.

Dugald River resumed production on March 21 after a suspension of 34 days due to a fatal incident at the mine involving two contractors from Barminco. MMG says the mine continues to ramp-up through April with the focus remaining on safely returning its workforce to the underground environment. Production in 2023 is now expected to be in the range of 135,000 t and 150,000 t of zinc in zinc concentrate, lower than the prior guidance of 170,000 t and 185,000 t.