Pan Pacific Copper to Start SX-EW Test at Caserones, Chile

Pan Pacific Copper (PPC), Japanese copper smelter co-parented by Nippon Mining & Metals and Mitsui Mining & Smelting, will start copper production test by SX-EW (Solvent Extraction-Electrowinning) method at Caserones copper deposit, Chile in February 2008. PPC plans to complete construction of test facilities at the beginning of 2008 and to produce electrolytic copper mainly from sulfide ores during a year.Caserones copper deposit is 115 kilometers southeast of Copiapo, northern Chile. SX-EW test facilities are now under construction at a height of 2,800 meters above sea level. SX-EW is a method to electrowin copper from deposited ores by using agents. Electrolytic copper can be produced with low grade ores by SX-EW method.PPC obtained Caserones copper deposit by acquisition of Regalito Copper Corporation of Canada in May 2006. PPC plans to finish feasibility study of the deposit by the end of 2008 and to start construction of productive facilities in 2009. The operation will start in 2011 with an initial production at 100,000-150,000 tonnes per annum.