TVI Pacific has overcome many obstacles in the past two years to bring its Canatuan Sulphide Project online and last month achieved a milestone with the first shipment of copper concentrates leaving for China .

TVI’s Philippine affiliate, TVI Resource Development (Phils), brought the commissioning phase of Canatuan operations to a close when commercial operations were declared after inventory levels reached the 5000 tonne threshold.

The shipment then took place when, as part of an offtake arrangement with MRI Trading AG, 5350 dry metric tonnes (dmt) of copper concentrates left Santa Maria Port in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, destined for a major Chinese smelter.

TVI’s president and CEO Clifford M James says, “This is a major milestone event. TVIRD has successfully overcome many obstacles over the last two years, when the Canatuan Sulphide Project was initiated.

“While challenges in the marketplace still exist, we are confident that the cash flows to be generated by TVIRD’s copper concentrate production will enable us to further progress the overall development of the company.”

Two landing craft transport barges were mobilized to the port facility from another mining operation elsewhere on the island of Mindanao . The concentrate was transferred from TVI’s warehouse facility at the port onto the barges, using the roll on-roll off access built into the pier, which had previously been constructed under a United States Agency for International Development project to promote economic activity for the Zamboanga Peninsula region.

The barges were then mobilized alongside the vessel MV Sun Glory, which was anchored in the bay outside the harbour, and the transhipment was completed within two days.

Clifford James says, “My compliments go to the TVIRD Canatuan team. This first shipment, made from a remote area, was executed smoothly, professionally and flawlessly. I’d also like to thank and compliment the people of Santa Maria and Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte – the indigenous Subanon as well as Muslim communities – for their tremendous cooperation, support and assistance. It was a great, joint effort.”

To date the Canatuan Mine has produced about 7300 metric tonnes of copper concentrate. It is anticipated that the next shipment will be made in early May and about every six weeks thereafter.

www.tvipacific.com