Hudbay's operations at its Flin Flon zinc plant have been extended for a few weeks this summer, according to an employee memo sent out April 14.
According to the memo, higher-than-expected levels of zinc concentrate in Flin Flon will boost the plant for a few more weeks, moving its expected shutdown date from the end of May until late June.
"As you are aware, our operations in Flin Flon will cease this year once the 777 mine reserves are depleted and the Flin Flon mill, zinc plant and surface utilities will close," reads the memo, signed off by Hudbay Manitoba business unit vice president Rob Carter.
"However, Hudbay can confirm we are adjusting plans for the zinc plant, which will now remain operational until the second half of June. As we approach closure, we have been able to better determine levels of zinc concentrate and we have found higher levels of concentrate than had been forecasted, enough to merit extending operations for a few weeks.
The rest of the company's Flin Flon-area closure plans remain unchanged as of April 14, with 777 mine expected to hoist up its very last tonne of ore in mid-June. Decommissioning of the mine, according to Hudbay, will then start and is expected to take place until September, with the Flin Flon mill expected to be closed and put on "care and maintenance" starting in late June.
Hudbay has contracted an Ontario-based auction and asset sale company to sell off much of its remaining Flin Flon assets, moving most things to Snow Lake but selling off the rest through private, brokered sale and a likely auction sale this summer.
Some areas of Hudbay's Flin Flon operations will stay open, including the company's fabrication shop and administration offices. The zinc plant is expected to close down starting in late June and be fully shut by October.