Canada-based First Quantum Minerals has started recommissional work at the Ravensthorpe nickel mine, in Western Australia.

The company said on Wendsday that the atmospheric leach circuit at the mine had been restarted earlier this month, after being shut down in December last year following a tank failure.

Operations at the 38 000 t/y nickel plant were suspended following a acid spill.

First Quantum said steady-state production would likely be achieved by the end of July, at which point the circuit should operate at 50% of production capacity, with a throughput of 80 t/h.

It is planned that this capacity would continue for the next six months while out-of-service leanch tanks were progressively refurbished.

• [Editor:Juan]