Unplanned Maintenance and Weather Conditions Impact Aitik Throughput
Boliden, a Stockholm-based company, has announced a reduction in throughput at its Aitik facility for the fourth quarter of 2023. The decrease to slightly over 9 million tonnes (Mton) is primarily attributed to an unplanned maintenance stop and challenging weather conditions. This figure falls short of the just over 11 Mton typically expected under normal circumstances.
Details on Production Disruptions
The maintenance issue arose from damage found between the trunnion and the feed end of one of Aitik's two primary mills. As a result, production on this mill line has halted, with plans to resume operations in December. Additionally, mid-November weather conditions led to increased nitrogen dioxide levels, prompting operational limitations across significant portions of Aitik's industrial area.
Impact on Copper and Gold Production Unchanged
Despite these setbacks, Boliden clarifies that its guidance for copper and gold content remains unaffected by the current production disruptions. This suggests that while the volume of material processed may be lower, the concentration of valuable metals in the ore is consistent with expectations.
