Environmental events affect production

Extreme natural events have temporarily disrupted production in both Russia and Australia, as an earthquake and tropical cyclone made conditions in some places unsafe for mining.

In Russia, regional officials called a halt to mining after a magnitude 6.7 earthquake hit the semi-autonomous Tuva Republic, in southern Siberia. The earthquake affected the neighbouring Krasnoyarsk and Keremovo Oblasts (provinces) and the extensive Kuznetsk basin, the country’s major coalfield.

Mines affected included those owned by Evraz plc, OAO Mechel, Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works and OAO Raspadskaya.

In Australia, tropical storm Grant (downgraded from cyclone status as it passed over the Northern Territory) caused the temporary closure of the Ranger uranium mine on December 25. The mine’s owner, Energy Resources of Australia Ltd, said that production had resumed the following day. Xstrata plc said that operations at its McArthur River mine were unaffected by the storm.

Flooding also caused the derailment of a train carrying copper concentrates on behalf of OZ Minerals Ltd. The company said early assessments indicated that 1,000-1,200t of concentrates may have derailed into the Edith River. It has initiated a crisis management response, with environmental effects to be assessed when safe access becomes possible.

Meterological reports suggest there is a possibility of the storm returning to category one cyclone strength as it passes over northeast Australia on December 29.