PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Base metals miner MMG on Thursday completed openpit mining at the Century zinc mine, in Queensland.

MMG COO Marcelo Bastos said the completion of mining at Century, after 16 years of operation, was a milestone for MMG.

“Century has consistently made a significant contribution to MMG, both financially and through the commitment to our growth objectives by the dedicated team of thousands of workers over the life of the mine,” he said.

“Century has also made a strong contribution to the Queensland economy and to the employment opportunities for Gulf communities. Through one of the first Native Title agreements of its kind, over 900 Aboriginal employees from local Indigenous groups or communities have been part of the operation since its development.”

Bastos said the completion of mining at Century was a considerable factor in the shrinking global supply of zinc.

“We remain positive about the long-term fundamentals for zinc, which supports our decision to invest in Dugald River, one of the world’s highest-grade undeveloped zinc deposits.

“While mining has completed, processing of stockpiled ore continues and we are also focused on fulfilling community commitments and environmental obligations beyond mining at Century,” he said.

MMG expected to complete processing of the about 700 000 t of Century ore built up during the final months of mining operations this year.

Additionally, stockpiled ore from the Dugald River project, also located in north-east Queensland, would be processed at Century into early 2016. The Dugald River ore was produced during a trial stoping programme at the site in 2014.

Century was expected to produce between 320 000 t and 370 000 t of zinc-in-concentrate for this year.

“Our ability to maximise value throughout the mining life cycle is demonstrated by first-half production at Century of 221 049 t of zinc – just 1% lower than the same period in 2014, despite transition to lower grades in the final stage of mining,” Bastos said.

Closure planning and progressive rehabilitation activities continue at Century.