Canadian-based Ero Copper has released the newest update of progress at its Tucumã project in Brazil, confirming that it is over 70% complete and on track for first copper production later next year.
Reporting “excellent progress” at the site in Para state, officials said the planned mine’s capex is in line with its current guidance of approximately $305 million.
Crews have made significant advancement in mine pre-stripping, with first sulphide ore on track to be reached in early November, and all earthworks are now completed, including the water storage reservoir, site drainage and run-of-mine stockpiles.
Over 15,000 cubic meters of concrete have been poured (over 65% complete), concluding all major foundation requirements for the project, and steel structure pre-assembly and erection tracking ahead of schedule with approximately 1,000 tonnes of steel already in place.
Additionally, Ero officials confirmed that its key processing equipment pieces are now on-site, and installations are either ongoing or complete for the primary crusher, ball mill, secondary and tertiary crushers, vibrating screen decks and flotation cells.
A main substation has been installed on site, and its primary e-room has been commissioned. Currently, a 16-kilometer power line’s construction tracking is ahead of schedule; the tie-in to national grid power is expected during the current quarter.
Platework, piping and electrical cabling all commenced ahead of schedule, and all of its peak construction workforce successfully mobilized on the project.
CEO David Strang stressed his happiness for the work being done by about 1,750 people on-site making “remarkable progress to date” and for the achievement of nearly two million hours of work without a lost time injury.
“With over 70% of the physical work completed, critical pieces of infrastructure in place or nearing completion, and main equipment installations progressing according to plan, we are confident that a major inflection point for the project has been reached,” he said.
“As we continue to meet our construction milestones, we are turning our attention on site to piping, electrical and instrumentation installation – an exciting time for any project. We are focused on executing the first phase of the commissioning schedule prior to year-end to ensure a successful ramp-up and achievement of commercial production in the second half of 2024.”
The Tucumã copper project was formerly known as Boa Esperança.
Source: Ero Copper