Hudson Bay production shifts to own turf

Annual production of copper and zinc concentrates from the mines of HudBay Minerals (HBM-T) increased in 2004, while the company’s smelter in Flin Flon, Man., produced less metal because it bought much less third-party concentrate.

The smelter produced 110,200 tonnes zinc metal in 2004, down from 117,900 tonnes in 2003, although production of zinc from the four HudBay mines was up 15,300 tonnes to 108,400 tonnes. Similarly, copper production at Flin Flon was down 6,500 tonnes to 76,900 tonnes in 2004, as production from third-party concentrates fell 8,100 tonnes.

HudBay’s new 777 Mine near Flin Flon produced 975,900 tonnes of ore grading 4.5% zinc and 2.9% copper during the year, its first in full commercial production. In 2003 the mine delivered 709,200 tonnes grading 4% zinc and 2.8% copper.

At year-end HudBay pegged proven and probable reserves at 777 at 16.6 million tonnes grading 4.7% zinc, 2.4% copper, 2.2 grams gold and 28.2 grams silver per tonne.