Xstrata Copper, one of the commodity business units within the major global diversified mining group Xstrata plc. (XTA.L), announced corporate approvals for a total investment of US$542 million to extend the life of its Ernest Henry Mining or EHM operations near Cloncurry in north-west Queensland, Australia, to at least 2024, through the transformation of open pit mining operations to a major underground mine together with the construction of an associated magnetite extraction plant.
The project will enable EHM to achieve annual production levels of approximately 50,000 tonnes of copper and 70,000 ounces of gold in concentrates from 2012 when processing from open pit mining operations ceases.
Construction of the underground mine is expected to commence in the first half of 2010 with first production in late 2011 and full-scale operation from early 2013. Construction of the magnetite plant is also expected to commence in the first half of 2010 with commissioning expected by the beginning of 2011, the company said.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.