MANAGEMENT

Hudbay's 777 resumes production after hoist incident

Canada's Hudbay Minerals has restarted limited production at the 777 polymetallic mine in Flin Flon, Manitoba, following an initial inspection of the damage caused by a falling skip two weeks earlier which temporarily suspended the operation.

 No injuries were reported in the October incident at 777, located in Flin Flon

No injuries were reported in the October incident at 777, located in Flin Flon

Underground mining activity has restarted on a limited basis from the mine's ramp access. 

"A preliminary video inspection of the mine shaft indicates that damage is limited to the headframe and the bottom of the shaft in the skip compartment. It does not appear that the cage compartments or the ore loading area were damaged, and the structural integrity of the shaft does not appear to have been compromised by the incident," Hudbay said.

The shaft and the skip compartment are scheduled for a full inspection by personnel in early November. If no further damage is confirmed beyond what has already been identified, the 777 shaft could resume full production in December.

Hudbay said the cost of repairs is not expected to exceed C$5 million.

"While fourth-quarter production and sales volumes will be impacted, the company is implementing production mitigation plans and continues to expect the Manitoba business unit to achieve its full-year production and unit cost guidance for 2020," it said.

No injuries were reported in the October incident at 777.

Hudbay owns three polymetallic mines in all, as well as four ore concentrators and a zinc production facility in northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada, and Cusco, Peru. It also holds copper projects in Arizona and Nevada, US.

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