FACTBOX-Mines and plants hit by low prices, high costs
Jan 26 - Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc said it would reduce mining and crushed leach rates by 50 percent at its Morenci copper mine, compared with a 25 percent curtailment announced in December, along with a series of other operating reductions and deferred start-ups. [ID:nN26404413]
Jan 26 - Eastern Platinum Ltd (ELR.TO) said planned reduction in reserve development, which began late November, included temporary suspension of Crocette mine. [ID:nWEB3437]
Jan 23 - Oxus Gold Plc (OXS.L) said it will expand its 50 percent-owned Amantaytau Goldfields project faster than planned, but will slash development costs. [ID:nLN654101]
Jan 22 - Bulgaria's KCM said it will cut zinc output by 16 percent this year and lead output by 9 percent. [ID:nLM706116]
Jan 22 - Sharp falls in metals prices have forced several small mining companies in Mexico to scrap ongoing projects, the country's mining chamber said. [ID:nN22253659]
Jan 22 - Japan's Dowa Holdings Co Ltd (5714.T) said it would curb copper output by about 10 percent from its initial plan from February. [ID:nT16016]
Jan 22 - Lundin Mining (LUN.TO) said to close Galmoy zinc-lead mine in Ireland in May. Was to close on a phased basis over three years from end-2008. [ID:nWNAB2104]
Jan 22 - Australia's top gold miner Newcrest Mining (NCM.AX) lowered its forecast for annual production. [ID:nSYD338382]
Jan 22 - BHP Billiton (BHP.AX) (BLT.L) may suspend operations at its Yabulu nickel refinery indefinitely, analysts said. [ID:nSYD360707]
Jan 21 - African Copper (ACU.L) said it will suspend production at its Mowana copper mine in Botswana for at least three weeks while it holds talks to raise up to $15 million for its working capital needs. [ID:nLL170854]
Jan 21 - Eramet said it will cut its output of manganese ore and alloy in first quarter 2009. [ID:nLL351741]
Jan 21 - Anglo Platinum (Angloplat) (AMSJ.J) plans to trim production, a South African union official said. [ID:nLL154574]
Jan 21 - Columbia Falls Aluminum is to curtail the last operating potline at its 168,000 tonnes per year (tpy) smelter in the United States. [ID:nLL482319]
Jan 21 - BHP Billiton will close its Ravensthorpe nickel mine in Australia, reduce activity at Mount Keith nickel mine and put Pinto Valley copper operations in the United States on care and maintenance in February. [ID:nSYD409818]
Jan 21 - Latin American silver and gold producer Hochschild Mining Plc (HOCM.L) said it is considering closing its small Selene silver mine. [ID:nLK707366]
Jan 20 - OceanaGold (OGC.AX) (OTC.TO) said may slash planned investment in the stalled Didipio gold-copper project in the Philippines due to funding difficulties. [ID:nSP383612]
