RTT News reported that the Al Masane copper mine in Saudi Arabia's Najran province has resumed operation and exported 8,000 tonnes of zinc to South Korea and 6,000 tonnes of copper to India this week.

The mine remaining closed for decades due to drop in mineral prices globally restarted operations in the presence Najran Governor Prince Mishal bin Abdullah. The mine's reserves are estimated at 4.9 million tonnes of zinc and copper. Besides, its ores contain 97 gram of gold and 31 gram of silver per tonne.

Mr Talal Al Shaer chairman of Al Masane Al Kobra Mining said that the company would build SAR 1.5 billion smelter within an year. Presently it is producing 35,000 tonnes of copper and 45,000 tonnes of zinc annually. The company has built a crude material treatment plant and started operation in the Q3 of 2011. The plant is operated by a Chinese company.

Source - Rttnews.com

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