Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
reported what it described as a small scale
failure encompassing approximately
75,000 metric tons (mt) of material
occurred at the Grasberg open-pit. There
were no injuries or property damage.
Mining and milling activities are continuing
normally but access to the high grade
section of “7 South” will be restricted until
remediation activities are completed and
safe access to this mining area can be
assured. The company expects to complete
remediation of the area and resume mining
in October 2008. During the interim, the
company is mining ore from the DOZ
underground mine and lower grade sections
of the Grasberg open-pit.
As a result of the delayed access to the
high grade material, a portion of the metal
expected to be mined in the second half of
2008 will be deferred to future periods.
Initial estimates indicate approximately
150 million lb of copper and 200,000 oz
of gold previously expected to be mined in
2008 will be deferred.
As featured in Womp 08 Vol 8 - www.womp-int.com