PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Mineral sands miner Iluka Resources has restarted mining operations at its Sierra Rutile project, in Sierra Leone, following illegal strike actions at the operation.
Iluka told shareholders that the company had engaged with the United Mineworkers’ Union and the government of Sierra Leone, adding that while some uncertainty persisted, discussions with the union were ongoing and a process had been agreed upon to resolve the unlawful strike.
The Sierra Rutile operation is expected to produce a maximum of 125 000 t to 130 000 t of rutile this year, depending on a quick ramp-up of activities following the strike, and improved operational performance in the fourth quarter of this year.
Iluka has previously expressed disappointment in the production performance of the Sierra Rutile operation, specifically around commissioning issues on the in-pit mining unit and age-related failures of equipment at the dredge, which has been accompanied by increased costs in addressing operational issues at the mine.