Christer Fuglesang Inaugurated Boliden Garpenberg
August 26 2014 - 10:09AM
Business Wire
Regulatory News:
Boliden (STO:BOL)(TSX:BLS):
Know-how and innovation were the theme at the inauguration of
Boliden’s expansion of the Garpenberg mine, at which Christer
Fuglesang, Professor of Space Physics at the Royal Institute of
Technology and ESA astronaut, officiated. Christer Fuglesang, who
travelled to the depths this time, not the heavens, signed a silver
plaque at the 1,054m level in the presence of Boliden’s President
& CEO, Lennart Evrell, and students from the Royal Institute of
Technology, the Luleå University of Technology and the Swedish
School of Mining and Metallurgy in Filipstad.
“Metals play a key part in virtually all technical research and
development, one way or another. The weightlessness of space makes
it the perfect place to test certain metal properties in order to
develop better alloys and catalysts, for example. But it all starts
in a mine like this, which is why I am so delighted to have this
chance to visit the fascinating new operations at Boliden
Garpenberg and to see the importance of scientific expertise and
technological development in this link in metals’ value chain,”
said Christer Fuglesang.
The Garpenberg expansion would not have been possible without
successful exploration and sector-leading technological
development. Fifteen years ago, the mine seemed to be approaching
the end of its lifespan – the turnaround came with the discovery of
the Lappberget ore body, which was both richer and larger than any
previously mined in the area. Boliden has invested SEK 3.9 billion
in the new mining facility which, by the end of 2015, will be
producing 2.5 million tonnes of ore per year.
“The investment is the second biggest in Boliden’s 90-year
history, and the demands it has made on everyone involved have been
exceptionally high, but we have successfully realised our plans,
and the new facilities were brought on line in the spring of this
year. The expansion enables an increase in Garpenberg’s
productivity, cuts the unit cost, and improves the mine’s
environmental performance, thereby boosting Boliden’s
competitiveness in the global market,” says Boliden’s President
& CEO, Lennart Evrell.
The 150 guests were given the chance to see some of the
high-efficiency and largely automated methods now employed at
Garpenberg, where the use of the latest equipment and shorter ore
transportation routes have reduced the energy consumption per tonne
of ore produced. The newly built concentrator on the surface
enables the operators there to monitor and control the processes,
down to the smallest detail, via a wireless network. Underground,
there are autonomous loading machines that enable the operator to
remotely control loading and unloading, while the ore haulage
process is entirely automatic. This enhances safety and will also,
in the longer term, boost productivity because the machines can
work, even when the mine is empty. The system, known as AutoMine,
is only in use in a handful of mines in the world.
The ventilation in the mine stopes is also automated and runs on
an on-demand basis, thereby saving on the energy needed to run the
fans and provide heating. Water consumption per tonne of ore
produced has also been reduced, due to more efficient management
and updated equipment. Advanced nitrogen and water purification
systems will also help ensure that there is no increase in the
mine’s environmental impact.
Facts and figures:
Mining of the deposits at Garpenberg, outside Hedemora, began
way back in the 13th century and the oldest letters patent still in
existence for mining operations at Garpenberg were issued in 1354
by the Swedish King Magnus Eriksson. This means that Garpenberg is
the oldest mining area in Sweden that is still operational. Boliden
acquired Garpenberg in 1957, since when exploration work has
resulted in a substantial increase in the mine’s ore reserves.
Today’s Garpenberg mine produces complex ores containing zinc,
copper, lead, gold and silver – a metal mix that has helped bring
about the mine’s favourable cost position.
In 2013, Garpenberg produced:
Ore: 1,495 ktonnes
Zinc: 70,267 tonnes
Copper: 517 tonnes
Lead: 25,352 tonnes
Gold: 277 kg
Silver: 162 tonnes
Boliden is a metals company with a commitment to sustainable
development. Our roots are Nordic, but our business is
global. The company’s core competence is within the fields of
exploration, mining, smelting and metals recycling. Boliden has a
total of approximately 4,800 employees and an annual turnover of
approximately SEK 34 billion. Its share is listed on NASDAQ OMX
Stockholm, segment Large Cap.
This information was brought to you by Cision
http://news.cision.com
BolidenMarcela SylvanderGroup Communications+46 (0)733
244 551
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