Azteca processing plant refurbishment reaches 77% completion
Refurbishment of the Azteca processing plant at London-listed Cadence Minerals' Amapá iron-ore project, in Brazil, has progressed to 77% completion with 43 of the 64 identified work packages now complete.
The company reports that completion of the principal mechanical workstreams has progressively shifted the execution focus to electrical installation, integrated commissioning and operating licence readiness. The feed hopper, transfer conveyor and process tank installation have been completed, while screen refurbishment is substantially complete.
Cadence says management’s immediate focus is completing the remaining electrical installations, integrated plant commissioning and completion of the operating licence workstreams.
Subject to successful commissioning and receipt of the operating licence, the company continues to target operational readiness by the end of August.
The Amapá project is an integrated operation comprising mining, rail, port and beneficiation infrastructure. As part of a staged redevelopment strategy for the project, Azteca is planned to be recommissioned as the initial production facility, targeting about 380 000 t/y of about 65% iron concentrate from existing tailings.