DJ reported that China's Minerals and Metals Group will send small volumes of zinc slurry through a disrupted pipeline that connects the Century zinc mine in northern Queensland State to the Karumba port facility.

As per report, MMG on October 5th 2009 shut down the pipeline after a spill of about 300 tonnes of zinc concentrate slurry although mining operations continued.

MMG said that a new section of pipe has been welded into place and the pipeline has been pressure tested with water. It said that we expect to start sending small volumes of zinc slurry through the pipeline later today.

As an additional precaution, MMG will install a bypass around the section where the fault occurred, to allow the section around the fault area to be taken off line for further testing. The Century pipeline is just over 300 kilometers long. The fault occurred about 110 kilometers into the line. MMG acquired Century zinc mine from OZ Minerals Limited this year as well as other assets.

(Sourced from Dow Jones)