Boliden's Mining Developments Shape Future Mineral Reserves
Boliden's Strong Performance in Mineral Resources
Recently, Boliden has announced promising updates in mineral resources, particularly at its renowned Garpenberg deposit. This zinc and silver mine has consistently shown beneficial results. Stefan Romedahl, President of the Business Area Mines, emphasized that not only has Garpenberg continued to perform well, but exploration efforts around the Boliden Area are also producing positive outcomes. Boliden invested a significant sum in exploration in 2024 totaling SEK 929 million, demonstrating a strong commitment to advancing their mining operations.
Aitik Mining Developments
Aitik, known for its robust operations, initiated production at the Liikavaara site this year. There was a minor decrease in Aitik's mineral reserves, dropping by 52 million tonnes, which is about 5%. This was primarily due to ongoing mining activities and economic considerations. Meanwhile, the mineral resources also saw a reduction of 35 million tonnes, influenced by drilling and market dynamics. A total of 41 million tonnes of ore was processed at Aitik during the past year. In addition, the Nautanen deposit, located 15 kilometers to the north, is undergoing further exploration, opening new avenues for resource extraction.
The Boliden Area and Mineral Resources Growth
In the Boliden Area, mineral reserves rose by 1 million tonnes, representing a 7% increase. This growth chiefly resulted from the conversion of mineral resources in the Rävliden deposit, where production commenced in 2024 and is projected to increase throughout 2025. Additionally, Kankberg contributed to this growth, resulting from improvements in mining methodology. The mineral resources in Renström and Kankberg also expanded due to successful drill explorations. Overall, the increase in mineral resources for the Boliden Area amounts to 2.5 million tonnes, roughly a 10% growth, with 1.5 million tonnes of ore processed last year.
Garpenberg's Promising Figures
Garpenberg experienced a significant uptick in its mineral reserves, with an increase of 5 million tonnes or 5%. This growth stemmed from the successful conversion of mineral resources. Moreover, exploration drilling yielded a remarkable increase of 34 million tonnes in mineral resources, marking a 38% rise. Last year, 3.5 million tonnes were processed at Garpenberg, enjoying robust operations.
Evaluating Kevitsa's Mineral Resources
At Kevitsa, recent geological and technical advancements prompted an updated mineral resource estimation in 2024. Notably, 20 million tonnes were downgraded from mineral reserves to resources in the previous year due to permitting uncertainties regarding the tailings dam expansion. Recently, Boliden submitted the first application to alter the dam construction methodology, aiming to secure necessary permits. Further applications are planned for 2025 to expand the capacity of the tailings dam, which is essential for the longevity of the mine. Consequently, there was a net increase of 15 million tonnes in mineral reserves, a 19% rise thanks to both the conversion and the new estimates. Despite previous downgrades, the mineral resources still showed a 15 million-tonne increase, reflecting a 9% growth with 9.85 million tonnes processed this year.
Tara Mine Production Resumption
At Tara, production restarted recently, signaling a recovery after a care and maintenance period. The existing life of mine plan remains feasible financially. However, there have been no new resource estimations made yet, and the mineral reserves and resources still rely on previous assessments, now adjusting for the mining of 156 thousand tonnes in 2024. Work continues on developing a new production plan.
Understanding Mineral Classification
Boliden assesses its mineral resources and reserves distinctly and categorizes them accordingly. The company establishes conditions related to costs and metal prices annually, influencing all its calculations throughout the year. It is essential to note that Boliden’s mineral resources do not include mineral reserves, and when a resource is converted to a reserve, it is removed from the overall count of resources.
Adherence to Industry Regulations
Boliden diligently follows the recommendations laid out by the Swedish Mining Association for reporting its mineral exploration results, resources, and reserves. Their reporting conforms to standards set by the Pan-European Reserves and Resources Reporting Committee. Every summarization of mineral resources and reserves undergoes reviews by competent professionals within the company, ensuring accuracy and compliance with industry standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are Boliden's key areas of mineral resources?
Boliden's primary mineral resources are found in Aitik, Garpenberg, Kevitsa, and the Tara mine, which are crucial for the company's operations.
2. How much did Boliden invest in exploration in 2024?
Boliden invested SEK 929 million in exploration efforts during 2024, reflecting its commitment to enhancing mineral resource and reserve identification.
3. What changes occurred to the mineral reserves at Aitik?
Aitik's mineral reserves decreased by 52 million tonnes, primarily due to ongoing mining activities and updated economic assessments.
4. How has Garpenberg's mineral resource increased?
Garpenberg's mineral resources surged by 34 million tonnes, attributed to successful exploration drilling.
5. What is Boliden's strategy regarding tailings management at Kevitsa?
Boliden is focusing on expanding the tailings dam to accommodate future production needs and has submitted necessary permit applications to authorities.
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