OZ Minerals’ Carrapateena copper, gold and silver mine has reached a major milestone with the Crusher 2 level for the Sub Level Cave mine now reached enabling commencement of the Block Cave Expansion declines. OZ Minerals Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Cole, said: “The commencement of the Block Cave decline is a significant milestone for Carrapateena. The Block Cave Expansion will allow us to fully capitalise on the value opportunity beyond the existing Sub Level Cave, extending mine life, increasing production and unlocking Carrapateena’s potential to be a multi-generational, lowest quartile cash cost producing province.”

He adds: “With the Crusher 2 level now reached, the team at Carrapateena will install and commission the second Crusher which will enable Sub Level Cave production rates to increase up to circa 4.7 to 5.0 Mt/y from 2023. In addition, the Western Access Road to the Carrapateena site was completed this month, which will improve site access and concentrate logistics management as well as further community partnerships through involvement in road maintenance contracts. The Carrapateena Block Cave Expansion creates a world class opportunity considering its scale, production, mine life, cost base and jurisdiction.”

Byrnecut Australia has been responsible since March 2021 for the delivery of underground mining and associated mining services at Carrapateena mine as part of a five-year alliance-style contract with Byrnecut valued at circa A$130 million per year. It comprises all underground mining activity for the duration of the contract including production and development mining and associated mining services plus bedding in steady-state operations at nameplate site capacity.