Nexa Resources is suspending operations at three of its mines in Peru after the country’s government extended the national quarantine to April 12.
Only critical activities will be permitted at the Cerro Lindo, Atacocha, and El Porvenir mines, which use a critical minimum of workers to execute the necessary maintenance. As a result, the Cajamarquilla smelter will operate at 50pc of its production capacity, the company announced in an update.
Cerro Lindo produced approximately 1.3mn mt of zinc concentrates in 2018, as well as 383,000mt of copper concentrates, and 12,800mt of lead concentrates. Also during that year, zinc concentrate ouput at Atacocha reached 173,000mt, while lead and copper production totaled 156,000mt and 100mt, respectively. In 2018, El Porvenir produced 579,000mt of zinc concentrates, 166,000mt of lead concentrates, and 600mt of copper concentrates.
The zinc producing company added that while its metal sales and supply chain haven’t been disrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak, it may have to further moderate activities at the Cajamarquilla smelter if the Peruvian government extends the quarantine again.
Construction at Nexa’s Aripuanã mine in Brazil will continue normally, the company said, but it is also working with authorities to implement safety measures.