SMM News: According to comprehensive media reports, the global outbreak of COVID-19 has had a certain impact on mining company operations. In response to the outbreak, the Peruvian government has adopted a 15-day nationwide quarantine policy. As a result, five mining projects in Peru have been suspended or slowed down.
Anglo American announced it would temporarily slow construction of its Quellaveco copper mine in Peru. The company has withdrawn most of its employees, maintaining normal operations only at core positions. The project is expected to start production in 2022, with an investment of US$5 billion to US$5.3 billion. In the first 10 years after startup, it can produce 300,000 tonnes of copper annually.
Freeport-McMoRan announced on Tuesday that, in response to the Peruvian government's containment measures, it would suspend operations at the Cerro Verde copper mine for 15 days of maintenance. The number of on-site personnel would be limited except for critical work. In 2019, the mine produced 450,000 tonnes of copper and 13,000 tonnes of molybdenum.
Vale announced it would slow production at its Voisey's Bay nickel mine in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the mine would be shut down for maintenance for four weeks. The mine's ongoing expansion project to transition from open-pit to underground mining was also affected. The move is mainly to protect the safety of the local Nunavut and Inuit people. The Voisey's Bay copper-nickel mine produced 25,000 tonnes of copper concentrate in 2019.
Albemarle Corporation has taken measures to protect its employees. Non-essential personnel have worked from home since the 17th, and the number of non-essential contract workers at its mines has also been limited. The company's production has not been significantly affected so far.