Underground mining at Neves-Corvo has been continuously conducted since 1988. The current production plan for 2023 is budgeted at 2.7Mt of copper ore at a grade of 1.8% Cu and 2.0Mt of zinc ore at a grade of 6.9% Zn. Zinc production is projected to increase to 2.5Mtpa from 2024. The current life of mine plan runs to 2032. The final year of full production is 2028. In the life of mine plan, total hoisted rock (ore plus waste) ranges from 5.4Mtpa to 5.9Mtpa.
General Information
The Neves-Corvo mine currently produces ore from five sectors: Corvo, Lombador South & North, Graca, Neves South & North and Zambujal. Lombador is the largest sector that contains more than 65% of the current Mineral Reserves, followed by Neves, Corvo, Zambujal and Graca. The smallest Graca sector will be mined out in 2028.
The main loading and hauling equipment used in the mine are diesel powered LHDs and Trucks for both production and development. Conventional electro-hydraulic drill rigs are used for drifting and stope production drilling.
The mining department has at present a total of 700 staff in production, development services, maintenance, engineering, planning, rock mechanics, geology, and exploration. On day shift there are up to 300 persons underground.
Access and Ore Handling
The mine is accessed by two primary routes:
• Santa Barbara Shaft: a 5m diameter circular concrete-lined shaft situated to the west of the main Corvo orebody. ........
