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Bindura Nickel Corporation’s Trojan Mine has so far produced around 1 800 tonnes of concentrate from over 253 392 tonnes of ore since it resumed production early this year, an official has said.
BNC, a subsidiary of Mwana Africa, restarted operations at Trojan in March after the mine was placed under care and maintenance in 2008 due to weak metal prices obtaining on the global markets and the harsh economic environment prevailing in the country at the time.
The company then entered into an off-take agreement with Glencore, who will purchase all the nickel concentrate produced by Trojan as part of the restart strategy.

“From the commencement of production in March 2013, the plant has processed 253 329 tonnes of ore and produced 1 810 tonnes in nickel concentrate. A total 1 642 tonnes has been sold to Glencore,” said Mwana chairman Mr Kalaa Mpinga.

He said shipping of nickel concentrate was steady and was poised to reach optimum levels by December this year.
Mr Mpinga said although market conditions were still to improve Trojan’s operations were faring well.

“Nickel companies are barely maintaining operations at the current prices.
“But overall we are anticipating improvement in overall fundamentals. While improving efficiencies, the focus on reduction of expenditure will improve the operating margin.”

Mwana Africa has had to introduce cost-cutting measures at corporate and projects levels at its operations in the wake of weak commodity prices obtaining on the global markets.

For the Trojan Mine in particular in response to lower nickel prices the firm reviewed a revised mine plan which considers focusing mining efforts on the higher grade massives.

Mwana has, however, gone all out in raising funds for its operations having recently raised about US$6 million through a share subscription to provide working capital for its operations. – New Ziana.