Collahuasi: Project and Exploration Update
24 October, 2005
Molybdenum plant commissioned ahead of schedule
Anglo American is pleased to announce that the Collahuasi molybdenum plant was commissioned on 27 September 2005, two months ahead of schedule and under budget.
The molybdenum plant has a design capacity to process 4,300 tonnes of copper-molybdenum concentrate per day and is initially forecast to produce 4,000 tonnes of molybdenum contained in moly concentrate per year, rising to up to 8,000 tonnes in later years. At present the plant is in start-up mode and first commercial production is anticipated in November.
Future Developments
Following completion of the $623 million Rosario transition project in 2004, Collahuasi has identified the possibility of a debottlenecking project that has the potential to increase the nominal design capacity of the sulphide circuit by upwards of 20%. A feasibility study will start shortly, the results of which will be available in early 2006.
Exploration: Rosario Oeste
The first stage of the resource estimate of Collahuasi's Rosario Oeste zone has been completed. Exploration results indicate that the zone contains an Inferred Mineral Resource estimated at 248 million tonnes grading 1.54% copper at a 0.4% copper cut-off.
This resource estimate comprises only a limited block, located in the central part of the Rosario Oeste zone, representing approximately 50% of the total prospective area. The zone is located 300 metres from the edge of the current Rosario open pit and, as currently defined, remains open to the north, south and at depth.
Notes to Editors:
Collahuasi is a joint venture between Anglo American (44%), Falconbridge (44%) and a Japanese consortium, lead by Mitsui and Co. Ltd. (12%)
Anglo American plc is one of the world's largest mining and natural resource groups. With its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, it is a global leader in platinum group metals, gold and diamonds, with significant interests in coal, base and ferrous metals, industrial minerals and paper and packaging. The group is geographically diverse, with operations in Africa, Europe, South and North America, Australia and Asia. (www.angloamerican.co.uk)