Lafayette still optimizing operations on 3rd week of test run

By Katherine Adraneda
Publication Date: [Wednesday, September 27, 2006]

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/show_content.asp?article=277144

Australian-owned mining firm Lafayette Philippines Inc. is still optimizing its operations on the third week of its 60-day extended test run, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said yesterday.

In a report to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Angelo Reyes, MGB chief metallurgist Juancho Pablo Calvez revealed that Lafayette has already started running at 90 percent rated production capacity.

He said Lafayette has already achieved the minimum 25 percent copper content target for its copper concentrate production. Meanwhile, its zinc production has remained low, as it has yet to stabilize its operations.

"Optimization and stabilization of production is being done by determining the efficient operating parameters such as addition of chemicals and mesh grind," Calvez explained.

"The stabilization process is part of the debugging stage, which is a normal procedure in mill start up," he explained.

The initial debugging operation of Lafayette started on the final stage of its initial 30-day test run.

Calvez said that a team of MGB technical personnel is continuously monitoring the debugging, optimization, and stabilization processes at the P1.4-billion Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic project in Albay.

Lafayette has sought for the 60-day extended test run to further its "optimization stage" to make sure that all pre-requisites of the government are complied with by the mine company.

The mine company also asked the government to allow it to test-operate in full-rated capacity.

Specifically, Lafayette wanted to optimize the efficiency of its detoxification circuit, which would only be attained when operating in a 100 percent rated capacity.

DENR allows 60-day extension of Lafayette test run

By Katherine G. Adraneda
Publication Date: [Thursday, September 14, 2006]

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/show_content.asp?article=275137

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB) has granted the request of Lafayette Philippines for a 60-day temporary lifting order (TLO), extending its previous 30-day test run in its Rapu-Rapu project in Albay.

In a three-page order, the PAB upheld the recommendation of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 5 to allow the 60-day extension of Lafayette’s test run, noting that mine operation was intermittent, thus affecting the efficiency of the mine facility’s detoxification system.

The MGB-Region 5 said that "sufficient time is necessary" for the Base Metal Plant’s parameters "to stabilize" considering that Lafayette has just conducted test-run operations using actual ore.

The PAB allowed Lafayette to proceed with the third stage of the test run at full capacity.

However, the simulation of the actual mine operation was subjected to a schedule, from 30-percent capacity on the first day, 60-percent capacity on the second day, and 80-percent capacity on the third day and progressively increased until full capacity is reached.

"After due deliberation and consultation, (Lafayette’s) request for a 60-day (TLO) is hereby granted which shall be reckoned from Sept. 9, 2006," stated the PAB order dated Sept. 11, which was approved by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes.

With the granting of Lafayette’s request, the PAB compelled the Australian-owned mining company to submit within five days from receipt of the order an update of specific actions or activities it will undertake to ensure all conditions previously imposed by the PAB are complied with.

Lafayette had filed before the PAB a motion for a 60-day extension of its test run for further "plant optimization stage.

Lafayette spokesperson Bayani Agabin said they thought it best to further their test run at this time to determine effectiveness of their plant and in order to have more accurate data of compliance with the government-set conditions.

"We deem it best at this time to seek for the extension of the test run rather than seek the permanent lifting of the CDO because we only have data for seven days at a partial (30 percent) rated capacity.

A 30-day or 60-day data at a full (100 percent) rated capacity would be best for accurate data on facility’s environmental compliance," Agabin explained to reporters during a minesite visit last week.

In the same PAB order, however, Lafayette was advised, "to exercise prudence and caution in making press releases which might unduly preempt the deliberations and decision of the board on the matter."