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Strategic Minerals Europe, a UK-based producer of metals, has begun production of tin and tantalum at the Penouta mine in northwest Spain as it enters the final stage of commissioning of the on-site crushing plant.
The company said it expects the mine to produce approximately 90 tonnes of primary concentrate a month in the first half of 2022 and reach 100 tonnes a month in the second half of 2022.
It estimated the mineral concentrate would contain approximately 70% tin (cassiterite) and 30% tantalum, according to Strategic Minerals.
Jaime Perez Branger, chief executive officer of Strategic Minerals, described the beginning of open-pit production at the Penouta mine as "a significant step" from its previous production of concentrate from tailings and claimed it would enable increased "output and cash-flow generation".
