USGS releases first study to assess global earthquake risk to mineral supplies
Earthquakes have the potential to substantially affect mining operations, leading to supply chain disruptions that adversely affect the global economy.
The 100 ha Shituru property is located one kilometer east of the Gecamines hydrometallurgical complex on the eastern limits of the City of Likasi in the province of Katanga, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is also only 3 km off the provincial Likasi – Lubumbashi highway.
The deposit is a stratiform copper deposit overprinted by extensive alteration and related supergene enrichment and is part of the Katangan Copperbelt.
The Feasibility Study proposes developing an open pit, ore processing and electrowinning facility with an annual production capacity of 38,000 tonnes of LME grade cathode copper.
Mining will be by an owner-operated conventional truck and backhoe fleet with supporting ancillary equipment. Strip ratio averages 4.9:1 over a 7.8 years projected mine life. Mine production has been scheduled at 0.9 Mtpa with 3% dilution and 97% mining recovery. Scheduling has been done on a bench-by-bench basis with in-pit blending to minimize any stockpiling….more at Shituru Mine Development
