MMG: Dugald River Zinc Mine in Australia Has Suspended Operations after Industrial Accident

MMG announced that due to an accident at the Dugald River mine in Australia, two persons hired by the company's contractor Barminco were reported missing at 8:55 am (Queensland time) on February 15 (Wednesday).

The company has activated the mine's emergency team and is assisting Barminco, emergency services and the Queensland Mines Inspectorate. Rescue work is currently underway.  Mine operations have been suspended.

Due to the size of the ore body, the Dugald River mine life is estimated to be in excess of 20 years, processing an average of 1.7 million mt of ore per annum. The business primarily produces zinc concentrate, with by-products including lead and silver.

The total copper output of MMG in 2022 (copper contained in copper cathode and copper concentrate) was 305,053 mt, a year-on-year decrease of 10%.

MMG said the sharp output decline is due to the increased impact of community protests in the region where Las Bambas is located. The total zinc production in 2022 was 224,600 mt, a decrease of 10% compared with 2021, mainly due to the impact of the Covid-19 on the available labour force in early 2022 as well as the decline in ore grade.

Las Bambas mine’s copper guidance for 2023 is between 265,000 mt and 305,000 mt. This represents an improvement over 2022, which will depend on whether the large-scale political protests that Peru will end soon and whether the logistics can stabilise.