JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – JSE-listed copper producer Palabora Mining’s output would fall by 15% between November and December, because of repair works to a winder, the company said on Thursday.

The Rio Tinto subsidiary explained that cracks were discovered in the drum of the North Winder during a routine inspection in November. Repair work had started and would be completed on December 15.

Palabora’s other winder was unaffected and remained fully operational.

The company said that supplemental feed supply was being sourced from smelter secondary materials and from reclaiming existing ore stockpiles on surface. 

Palabora is South Africa’s biggest copper producer.

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