TOLEDO CITY, Cebu – Carmen Copper Corporation (CCC), formerly known as the Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation, has infused over P11.2 billion or an equivalent of some US$235 million to put back on track its commercial mining operation and rehabilitate its activities.

To recall, the firm’s operations was suspended in 1994 due to depressed copper prices and after material liquefaction problems at Carmen underground suddenly cut off its production line.

Atlas started operations1955, using both surface and underground mining methods to extract copper ore from four open pits and two underground mines. At the peak of its operation, it had a work force of over 14,000 people and processed over 110,000 metric tons of ore daily.

The Cebu-based mining firm spent most of its rehabilitation budget in acquiring heavy equipment used for the operation and repair of damaged facilities.

The first phase of rehabilitation of Carmen Copper Mine’s facilities has been completed and it has started concentrate production in September 2008.

Phase 2 rehabilitation, targeting a daily output of 42,000 tons of copper ore is now in process.

For its current operation, the CCC’s source of ore is the South Lutopan Open Pit with a cut-off grade of 0.25 percent copper and waste-to-ore extraction ratio of 1:21:1, with an average milling rate of 30,000 tons per day.

Meanwhile, Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) 7 Regional Director Roger de Dios has lauded CCC’s efforts in spending more than the minimum budget requirement for any social development and management program (SDMP) in Central Visayas.

With a SDMP budget of over P34 million, De Dios said CCC’s budget allocation for such an activity is the biggest in the region.

He also said CCC, despite encountering shortcomings due to technical problems, has remained compliant with its environmental compliance certificate - an important tool in mining operation.

The MGB7 official stressed that the need to prevent and minimize environmental impacts associated with mining operations and mineral processing is well recognized by the DENR.