MC4D Helps Breathe New Life into Old Mine
December 20, 2023
MC4D Helps Breathe New Life into Old Mine
Editor: Debbie Reaney
Construction is underway to reopen the Mineral Park mine, a large open pit copper mine located in the Cerbat Mountains 14 miles northwest of Kingman, Arizona. According to a 2013 report, Mineral Park represented one of the largest copper reserves in the United States and in the world, having estimated reserves of 389 million tons of ore grading 0.14% copper and 31 million oz (about 878834.5 kg) of silver.
Origin Mining Company, LLC's brownfield Mineral Park Mill Restart project is striving to develop and supply locally key battery minerals, like copper, in the USA. Copper mining first began at the mine in 1958. Mineral Park has changed ownership several times since then, but due to mismanagement and low commodity prices, Origin's predecessor filed for bankruptcy in December of 2014. Origin purchased the mine out of bankruptcy and since January 2015, they have gone to great lengths to ensure the safety and compliance of the area. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, receiving praise from the local community and its County Commissioners for their mission to extract copper and molybdenum resources in a sustainable manner while also making a positive impact on the local economy by creating high-quality employment. With financial support from Wheaton Precious Metals, one of the world's largest precious metals streaming companies, the Mineral Park copper mine is once again headed toward production.
GeoStabilization International® (GSI), the leading geohazard mitigation firm specializing in mining geohazard services, was selected to help manage and mitigate the geohazards associated with their operations. Geohazards are natural events or processes that can pose a risk to the safety and stability of mining infrastructure, such as slopes, tailings dams, and waste rock dumps. Mining geohazard services are important for ensuring the safety and stability of mining operations and minimizing the environmental impact of mining activities. Part of this mitigation process includes the installation of almost 12,500 linear feet of hollow bar along 2 separate shoring walls. These walls are located right beside the rock crusher mills and must be secured before anyone at the mine can drive on the high side. A specialty drill rig was required for this important task and the experts at GSI graciously reached out to their local ICE® Drilling Team. Soon after, a Comacchio MC4D was put to work at the copper mine in Kingman AZ, utilizing the MC4D to repair the wall behind the crusher mill and refurbishing the mine production facility. GSI is also using a few attachment drills of their own design for the install. These custom pieces are attached to high reach lifts for drilling along the outside of the crusher mill. Further along in the project the MC4D will be utilized inside the frame of the mill when the parts are removed, and the frame is exposed.
Mineral Park is currently under Phase 2 construction and is expected to be fully upgraded by the end of Q1 2025. Waterton Copper, the parent company to Origin Mining, is fully funded and is investing approximately $600 million to execute Phase 2 of its operating plan bringing the site to over one hundred million pounds of copper equivalent annually and fully modernize the operation. Mineral Park has a 12-year mine life, with the potential to extend production to over 20 years. Attributable production is forecast to average at least 690,000 oz (about twice the volume of a storage unit) of silver per year for the first five years, rising to 740,000 oz (about the volume of a large U-Haul truck) over the project's life.
Fantastic job, GSI! The once booming town of Kingman is surely grateful for your expertise and aid in safely rehabilitating their little town's economy. The restoration of this mine is sure to breathe life back into the community and International Construction Equipment is thankful to have been a small part of this momentous occasion.
Learn more about Comacchio Drill Rigs or contact the ICE® Drilling Team
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Vice President IT and IT Comm
ICE® - International Construction Equipment, Inc
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Email - marketing@iceusa.com
