BHP Billiton will restart mining at its Pinto Valley operation in Arizona, USA. The mine, which will produce copper and molybdenum concentrate, will have annual production capacity of approximately 60,000 metric tons (mt) of copper in concentrate.
Given the robust investment case and the potential for an extension to current reserves, BHP Billiton Base Metals North America Asset President, Wayne Isaacs, explained mining operations would resume at Pinto Valley. “We will be hiring more than 600 people and look forward to working with local communities to safely restart the mine,” Isaacs said.
“The $195 million investment at Pinto Valley will add valuable copper production to our base metals portfolio,” said Peter Beaven, president, BHP Billiton Base Metals. “As we look forward, our business is particularly well placed given strong growth anticipated at both Escondida and Antamina in the short- to medium-term.” BHP Billiton expects to have the mine back into production by the end of 2012.