Orvana Reports Hoist Incident and Provides Company Orvana Reports Hoist Incident and Provides Company Update
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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 17, 2013) - Orvana Minerals Corp. (TSX:ORV) (the "Company") reports that in the early hours of June 16, 2013 an incident occurred at its El Valle-Boinas/Carles ("EVBC") gold-copper mine in northern Spain resulting in material damage to its hoist/shaft system at the Boinas Mine. A fully loaded skip overran the safety interlocks in the headframe, the hoisting rope broke, and the skip dropped to shaft bottom damaging the loading pocket. No injuries occurred and an investigation is underway. The Company is updating its production plans using ramp haulage at the Boinas Mine, which was the methodology in 2012 prior to the hoist system becoming operational. Operations at the Carles Mine continue unaffected.
"We are grateful that there were no injuries related to this incident and are reviewing what the impact will be to our operations at Boinas" stated Michael Winship, Interim President and CEO. The Company will provide updated information as it becomes known.
The Company also announces results for April and May at its EVBC operations, its Don Mario copper-gold-silver mine ("UMZ") in eastern Bolivia and provides an update on the Copperwood copper Project in Michigan, USA.
At EVBC, with strong mining and processing performance and higher than average grade, record production numbers for the month of May were achieved with 6,963 ounces of gold, 663,562 pounds of copper and 19,499 ounces of silver produced. Production for the month of April was 5,586 ounces of gold, 593,973 pounds of copper and 17,563 ounces of silver.
At UMZ, production for the month of May was 1,343 ounces of gold, 868,696 pounds of copper and 64,579 ounces of silver. April production was 1,062 ounces of gold, 846,028 pounds of copper and 77,020 ounces of silver. Optimization of the mining and blending of ore feed to the processing plant has resulted in improved recoveries.
The Company is also pleased to report receipt of the Safe Dams Permit Draft for the Copperwood Project. With the most significant permitting complete, optimization work continues further to the feasibility study, with a focus on additional metallurgical testing and mine design.
"Our excellent production numbers at our EVBC Mine during our third quarter to date highlight our commitment to continuing to ramp up production while initiating cost reductions" said Michael Winship, Interim President and CEO. "Progress continues to be made at our Copperwood Project and we continue to evaluate options to enhance the value of Copperwood to Orvana's shareholders"