Avanco Resources Ltd. is suspending plant operations and most mining activities at its Antas copper mine as a response to the ongoing truck drivers' strike in Brazil.
The company said May 29 that it is scaling back all site activities to conserve fuel. The Antas mine has about one month of run-of-mine ore stockpiled, and plant operations can be quickly restarted as it is connected to the electricity grid.
Avanco said it achieved the production guidance for April and May and is still assessing the strike's impact on operating costs and the output forecast for the full year.
Additionally, the company's drilling program at the Pantera project is also suspended.
Thousands of Brazilian truck drivers went on strike May 21, protesting rising fuel prices. In response, the Brazilian government announced a tax reduction on diesel and will reportedly open negotiations with the striking truck drivers May 23.
