Australian diversified miner Straits Resources has suspended processing activities at its Hillgrove mine in New South Wales for up to six months to solve technical issues affecting production.
The processing plant, which produces antimony metal to London Metal Exchange specifications, has been plagued by a number of issues resulting in a fall in production below design levels.
The company will concentrate on rectifying problems related to effective wastewater treatment, the flotation configuration and the interface between leaching and electrowinning, Straits said.
A group of employees will be retained during this period to continue metallurgical investigation, underground development and exploration.
The suspension will reduce the mine’s cash operating costs from A$3.6m to A$700,000 a month, Straits said.
