The Magellan lead mine, in Western Australia, is the world’s newest and largest pure lead mine. It was brought into production under a fast track eight-month construction program. Construction of the mining, plant and related infrastructure began in May 2004 and was substantially completed in December 2004. Commissioning of the processing plant commenced in January 2005 and commercial production was achieved on October 1, 2005.

Mining is carried out by open pit methods as the deposits require minimal drilling and blasting. Ore was first mined from the Cano deposit in the first quarter of 2005 and development of the Magellan deposit followed later in the year. The first shipment of 4,600 tonnes of concentrate was despatched from the port of Esperance on July 4, 2005. A total of 37,700 tonnes was shipped for the 2005 year.

At full production, Magellan is expected to be one of the top five lead-producing mines in the world producing approximately 3% of total world lead mine production.