Re: ISL mining in the US

[DWMCCARN@aol.com]

In a message dated 5/5/99 12:30:54 AM Mountain Daylight Time, 
alex.zapantis@ea.gov.au writes:

<< True or false - US law prohibits the use of acid lixiviant at any US ISL U 
mine, regardless of site specific conditions. >>

The answer is FALSE: 
Magma Copper (bought by BHP Copper) is licensed for sulfuric acid ISL mining 
in Arizona

San Manuel, Arizona
------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Manuel, Arizona (BHP 100 per cent)
•Largest underground mine in North America consisting of San Manuel and Lower 
Kalamazoo orebodies
•Underground copper sulphide ore mining, concentrating, in situ leaching, 
residual copper oxide dump leaching and solvent extraction-electrowinning 
(SX-EW) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reserves
Proven and probable reserves San Manuel and Lower Kalamazoo: 
Sulphide ore: 222 million tonnes of averaging 0.62 per cent copper
Oxide ore: 288 million tonnes averaging 0.41 per cent acid-soluble copper

 
Best regards, 

Dan W. McCarn
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