Tin production from Minsur Pitinga mine fell in Q3

By Paul Ploumis (ScrapMonster Author)
November 19, 2015 03:01:45 AM
Peru-based Minsur has reported mixed production results from its Brazilian operations during the third quarter of the current yearTin production from Minsur’s Pitinga mine fell in Q3
SAO PAULO (Scrap Monster): Peru-based Minsur has reported mixed production results from its Brazilian operations during the third quarter of the current year. While the production at the Pitinga mine reported decline, the tin output from the company’s Pirapora smelter rose considerably. This was announced while declaring the consolidated Q3 results.

According to Minsur, its Brazilian subsidiary Taboca registered significant decline in tin production from Pitinga mine. The output fell by nearly 21% over the previous year to 1,173 tonnes during Q3 2015. The mine output had totaled 1,485 tonnes during the corresponding quarter last year. The company had initially planned to boost its output from Pitinga mine. However, discovery of water leaks at the dam feeding the mine’s hydroelectric plant led to a series of production halts, thereby affecting output. The cash cost of treated ore at the mine declined by nearly 2% over the previous year to $20.5 per tonne during Q3. Meantime, the cumulative mine output during initial nine months of the year were up by 8% to 4,430 tonnes.

The processed tin output from Pirapora smelter increased during the quarter, thereby balancing the decline in Pitinga mine output. The refined tin production from the smelter rose by 7% in Q3 this year, when compared with the corresponding quarter last year.

Minsur has reiterated its refined tin production targets from Brazilian operations at 5,000-6,000 tonnes for the whole year 2015. The targets remain unchanged despite the energy issues, stated the company. Minsur expects to ramp up production during November and December this year. The company plans to increase the capacity of the crushing and concentration plant by 40% and double the production capacities at the Niobium Tantalum plant. It also intends to increase refined tin production capacity at Pirapora smelter by at least 1,000 tonnes.

Meantime, the consolidated tin production by the company, inclusive of Peruvian operations, totaled 5,628 tonnes.