Production

Product & Mining Operations

MRM is a leading producer of high grade bulk zinc/lead/silver concentrate which is exported worldwide to refineries using the Imperial Smelter Process. The concentrate content averages 46% zinc.

Technological advances to the concentrator have enabled MRM to also produce a new low lead content zinc concentrate which is suitable for electrolytic smelters, opening a new market for MRM concentrate.

The major markets for MRM bulk concentrate are in Poland, Japan and China.

Bulk concentrate is refined to make zinc and lead metal and alloys.

The mineralisation area of the ‘Here’s Your Chance’ deposit covers around two square kilometres and is 55 metres thick. It comprises eight recognisable and discrete zinc and lead ore zones. The natural movement of the earth, however, has changed the orientation and angle of each zone which complicates the mining process.

The open pit excavation will be undertaken in six stages, with the first three targeting the shallowest ore. Conventional drilling, blasting, loading and haulage methods are used.

After blasting, the overburden is excavated in horizontal benches to expose the target ore which is then removed for processing. Separating the ore and waste at the mining stage ensures a relatively pure ore is fed to the processing plant.

A 250 tonne excavator loads trucks with 90 tonnes of ore or waste to be taken to stockpiles or the waste rock piles.

The majority of the overburden rock from the open pit will be stored at an overburden emplacement facility (OEF) located to the north of the mine.

 

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