Palabora

South Africa's most sophisticated copper mine

The Palabora mine is located 360km north east of Pretoria in South Africa. It is the country's leading copper producer and is also a major source of vermiculite and baddeleyite (zirconium oxide). The original open pit operation was closed when it reached its final economic depth but, prior to closure, an underground mine was begun with the prospect of a further 20 years of exploitation. The underground mine has been developed on a proven reserve of 225 million tonnes of ore providing 0.7% copper plus an additional probable reserve of 16 million tonnes at 0.5% copper.

The underground mine is a block caving operation, the first such system to be used in metal mining in South Africa.

During 2006, Palabora treated 10.7 million tonnes of ore and produced 61,500 tonnes of copper in concentrates. The on-site smelter produced 81,200t of finished copper metal. The Palabora complex uses one of the most sophisticated recovery circuits installed at any copper mine, producing eight metal, mineral and chemical products in around 20 different varieties and grades. The complex includes a concentrator, copper smelter and refinery, currently capable of producing 135,000t/y of copper and by-products.

The operation employs around 1,800 people.