Future plans
Copper expansion and exploration
The Sepon copper expansion project was completed and commissioned in December 2010. The enlarged processing facility increases nameplate capacity to two million tonnes of ore per annum, lifting annual copper cathode production capacity to 80,000 tonnes.
During 2010 a number of conceptual exploration targets were tested around Padan, Thengkham and Kaban targeting copper rich porphyries. While no significant porphyry copper mineralisation was encountered, a number of copper-rich skarn zones were drilled at Thengkham.
The alteration and quartz stockwork vein arrays at Padan are extensive and as such further follow up work will occur during 2011.
Gold expansion and exploration
In 2010, oxide gold deposits at Khanong, Phavat North, Phabing, Namkok West, Thengkham South and Thengkham East were developed to a stage where they will contribute towards extending the mine life for gold to 2012.
Primary gold exploration at Sepon resumed during the year. The Dao Leuk primary gold prospect was targeted along strike from previous intersections and some promising results were returned.
The prospect is now over one kilometre long. A new primary gold discovery was made north of the Khanong pit, on the Muang Luang fault zone.
Preparatory work to evaluate the potential for processing primary gold is currently being undertaken.