2019 Updated Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Statements of Mineração Caraíba’s Vale do Curaçá Mineral Assets
| Company | Mineração Caraíba |
| Date | 2019-11-25 |
| Region | Curaçá Valley, Bahia, Brazil |
| Commodities | Copper |
| Throughput | 3.2 Mtpa (Current), 5.5 Mtpa (Design) |
| Status | Operating |
Executive Summary
This technical report details the recovery methods for the Caraíba Mill within the Vale do Curaçá Mineral Assets. The concentrator operates 24/7 with a current nominal capacity of 3.2 million tonnes per annum, treating copper-bearing ore from both open pit and underground sources. The mill utilizes a conventional three-stage crushing and ball milling circuit followed by rougher-cleaner-scavenger flotation to produce a copper concentrate with approximately 35% copper grade.
Operational optimization has led to increased metallurgical recoveries, particularly following the commissioning of the Vermelhos UG Mine in 2018. The mill is currently undergoing expansion plans to return to its original design capacity of 5.5Mtpa, involving the installation of HIG Mills and High Pressure Grinding Rolls (HPGR). Historically, the site also operated an SX/EW plant for oxide ore from 2007 to 2014, though this is no longer part of the active production plan.
Processing Overview
The crushing circuit prepares ore to a nominal 12.5mm feed for ball milling. Grinding involves primary ball mills in closed circuit with cyclones, supplemented by flash flotation and vertical mills for regrind. Flotation concentrates are dewatered via thickeners and filter presses to 7-8% moisture before transport to smelters or export ports.
Website:
Report Date: 2019-11-25
Region: Curaçá Valley, Bahia, Brazil
Project Status: Operating
Commodity: Copper
Throughput: 3.2 Mtpa (Current), 5.5 Mtpa (Design)
Mine Life:
Mine Type:
Ore type:
