Finders resumes copper cathode plate ops

Australian mining firm Finders Resources Limited announced said Wednesday that its Wetar copper project demonstration plant in Maluku province has resumed operation, after the defective component in the electrowinning circuit has been replaced.

?Mining grade, heap leaching rates and solvent extraction plant performance continue to exceed expectation, and the demonstration plant is expected to reach its nameplate 5.7 tonne copper cathode per day capacity before the end of February,? it said in statement.

Finders is targeting 20,000-25,000TPA copper production from its Wetar Copper Project.

As part of the project feasibility study, Finders is constructing a semi-commercial scale demonstration plant, including a 100,000 ton test heap and 5 TPD SXEW facility. This plant will ramp up to 150 tonnes of cathode copper /month, and produce significant cash flows from Q1 2009 onwards.(denny)