Nevsun To Shut Bisha Mine for Two Weeks

Nevsun Resources (TSX:NSU) reported that its Bisha mine will shut for two weeks due to a mechanical issue with its ball mill. A cracked output shaft bearing was discovered during routine inspection for the mill, which has led to the company’s decision to accelerate gearbox maintenance that was scheduled for April.

The company also reported that its zinc expansion project remains on track.

As quoted in the press release:

The Company believes this temporary shutdown will not negatively impact its 2015 annual production guidance but may take approximately two weeks to resolve. During this temporary shutdown, the mine plans to catch up on waste mining and accelerate other preventative maintenance that was scheduled for later in 2015.

While conducting a planned routine ball mill inspection, it was decided to accelerate gearbox maintenance for the mill, initially scheduled for April, upon observing a cracked output shaft bearing. The spare output shaft bearings were already onsite as critical spares however key tools and ancillary equipment are currently being expedited to site to complete the work already commenced with supplier Thyssen Polysius over the coming week. Despite the estimated two week unplanned shutdown for this repair, this will save some time for the planned ball mill reline scheduled in Q2 2015. During this temporary shutdown, the mine plans to catch up on waste mining and accelerate other preventative maintenance that was scheduled for later in 2015.

The Company will provide an update on when the plant is back online.

Click here to read the Nevsun Resources (TSX:NSU) press release