Kevitsa copper mine

Report summary

Commercial production first commenced at Kevitsa in the third quarter of 2012. The initial throughput rate of 5.5 Mt/a was expected to produce approximately 11,000 tonnes of nickel and 20,000 tonnes of copper annually. First Quantum Minerals submitted an environmental assessment and application to increase the plant throughput rate up to a maximum of 10 Mt/a. Liaison with the relevant authorities progressed and approval for the expansion was obtained in mid-2014. With the current estimated measured and indicated resource, the increased throughput rate was expected to increase annual production to approximately 15kt of nickel and 28 to 30kt of copper while retaining a mine life of around 17 years.