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Timmins, 15 December 2011

Xstrata Copper announces the completion of a CA$120 million (US$111 million) extension to the Kidd Mine in Northern Ontario, Canada on time and on budget. 

Approved by Xstrata in 2008, the extension to the mining zone at Mine D from 9,100 feet to 9,600 feet will extend operations by at least two years to the first half of 2018. Further extensions to the mine life have been identified through the ‘2020 Vision’ programme to elicit suggestions from employees on how to maximise the value of the operation.  The programme, launched in February 2011, has already resulted in significant cost savings and an additional 700,000 tonnes of ore reserves being identified with the objective of extending operations further to 2020.

“The continued development of the deepest base metal mine in the world is a challenge and reflects Xstrata Copper’s commitment to the sustainability of our Kidd operations and the Timmins community. I am pleased to congratulate the dedicated team of engineering and technical experts, project leaders, employees, contractors and suppliers who worked together to bring this project to fruition,” said Tom Semadeni, General Manager, Kidd Operations.

The latest Mine D expansion was the second stage of a project that has extended mining from 8,800 feet since 2007 for total investment of CA$148 million.