Rain hammers North-West Qld mining operations

Rainfall has pounded a large area of North-West Queensland, bringing some mining operations to a halt. Capricorn Copper has suspended mining activity after a 200mm-plus bucketing on Tuesday night, coming on the back of an above-average wet season for the region. This included about 370mm total rainfall over the seven days to Wednesday, seeing the site cut off by road at times, owner 29Metals said. "The extremely high rainfall on the evening of 7 March 2023 is expected to result in an extended loss of access to the site by road, impacting deliveries to site of production consumables," the company reported in an update to the ASX. The deluge also brings a headache for 29Metals in terms of the volume of water held on site. It is working with Queensland Department of Environment and Science regarding the impact of the extreme rainfall being experienced. 29Metals’ preliminary assessment is that the suspension of production and nonessential activity may continue for three to four weeks. This reflects the estimated time required to return site water levels to within prescribed limits and restore operations. "However, with rainfall continuing today it is difficult to predict the likely duration of the suspension with complete confidence. Work is continuing to assess the impact and opportunities to mitigate the interruption to production," the company reported. New Century Resources also has suspended production at its Century site in the lower Gulf region, with only critical dewatering and maintenance activities continuing. The company reported that rainfall events in North-West Queensland, especially the intense falls of the past few days, were having an impact on operations at the Century mine and Karumba Port Facility. "No safety incidents have occurred, and core infrastructure remains secure, including the Century tailings storage facility, processing plant and pipeline, along with the Karumba Port Facility and the M.V. Wunma," the company reported in an update to the ASX. "New Century personnel from Karumba and Century are actively participating in the Carpentaria and Burke Shire Local Disaster Management Committees." Glencore reports that its operations at Mount Isa Mines and Lady Loretta Mine have had minor disruptions from the significant rainfall and flooding conditions occurring in the region. "Each of our sites continues to implement controls to minimise impacts in accordance with its rainfall and stormwater management plans," a spokeswoman said. Significant rainfall totals in the 24-hour period to 9am Thursday included 278 mm at Riversleigh, 220 mm at Century Mine, 171 mm at Julia Creek, 158 mm at Dugald River and 148 mm at Julius Dam. This came on the back of 313 mm at Century Mine the previous day, with 81.4 mm falling within two hours to 4am Wednesday. A flood watch was in force for the Gulf Country and parts of the Lake Eyre Basin Rivers today and the Bureau had issued major flood warnings for the lower Flinders River and Nicholson River as well as flood warnings for the Cloncurry River, Gregory and Leichhardt Rivers. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services is flying in essential supplies for the communities of Doomadgee and Mornington, cut off by floodwaters.

Rain hammers North-West Qld mining operations

Industry Queensland

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