Ero Copper's Tucumã Project achieves over 70% physical completion

Since commencing site works in 2022, all engineering, procurement, and construction activities for the project remain on schedule for first copper concentrate production in H2 2024. Total direct project capital expenditures remain in line with current guidance of approximately US$305 million.

Project development highlights include:

• Construction: The physical construction of the project is now 70% complete.
  • Significant advancement in mine pre-stripping, with first sulphide ore on track to be reached in early November.
  • All earthworks now completed, including the water storage reservoir, site drainage, and run-of-mine stockpiles.
  • Over 15 000 m³ of concrete poured (over 65% complete), concluding all major foundation requirements for the project.
  • Steel structure pre-assembly and erection tracking ahead of schedule with approximately 1000 t of steel already in place.
  • Key pieces of processing equipment arrived on site with installations either concluded or ongoing, including the primary crusher, ball mill, secondary and tertiary crushers, vibrating screen decks, and flotation cells.
  • Main substation installed on site, primary e-room commissioned, and approximately 16 km power line construction tracking ahead of schedule; tie-in to national grid power expected during 4Q23.
  • Platework, piping, and electrical cabling all commenced ahead of schedule.
• People and safety: The peak construction workforce has been successfully mobilised on the project.
  • Approximately 1750 third-party contractors and employees working on site.
  • To date, there have been no lost-time injuries on the project, with approximately two million hours of work completed since 2022.
• Commissioning: The company remains on track to initiate the first phase of process plant commissioning by year-end and commence operations in H2 2024.

Commenting on the progress, David Strang, Chief Executive Officer, said, "First and foremost, I would like to congratulate each and every one of the approximately 1750 people on site on the remarkable progress to date, and most importantly, for their dedication in achieving nearly two million hours of work without a lost time injury. With over 70% of the physical work completed, critical pieces of infrastructure in place or nearing completion, and main equipment installations progressing according to plan, we are confident that a major inflection point for the project has been reached.

"As we continue to meet our construction milestones, we are turning our attention on site to piping, electrical and instrumentation installation - an exciting time for any project. We are focused on executing the first phase of the commissioning schedule prior to year-end to ensure a successful ramp-up and achievement of commercial production in the second half of 2024."

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/23102023/ero-coppers-tucum-project-achieves-over-70-physical-completion/