Brazilian miner Nexa extended the suspension of operations at its Cerro Lindo, Atacocha and El Porvenir mines as the Peruvian government extended national quarantine period till April 26. Operations will resume once the lockdown ends, the company said in a press release. The miner is known for production of zinc, copper and lead.
Production at Nexa’s Cajamarquilla zinc smelter in Peru will continue at a reduced rate and the company holds enough concentrates to continue working. Should the lockdown extend further, output is likely to be curtailed.
In Brazil, Nexa’s mining and smelting activities will continue at a normal pace. Though, construction activities at Aripuana project will be completed behind its schedule. Earlier, the miner planned to increase the workforce at the site in April, however, these plans have hit a roadblock as the company is forced to restrict the number of people at the site. Nexa is expected to present an updated plan for the project in the second quarter of 2020.
The company’s guidance for 2020 includes 539,000-595,000mt of zinc equivalent; 338,000-375,000mt of zinc; 40,000-46,000 of copper and 50,000-55,000mt of lead.