While they're anticipating some delays in shipping their ore, Huckleberry Mines Ltd. is expecting all shipments to Japan that were planned for this year to eventually be made.
The announcement followed the 8.9 magnitude earthquake on the coast of Japan that was closely followed by a tsunami, killing hundreds of thousands, leaving many more homeless, crippling nuclear power plants and also damaging port facilities at the Onahama smelter.
Property of Mitsubishi, Furukawa and Dowa, the smelter is one that has a life of mine contract with Huckleberry Mines Ltd. for ore extracted at the open pit copper, molybdenum and gold mine southwest of Houston.
According to the Imperial Metals web site [Imperial owns Huckleberry Mine, with a 50 per cent interest], Force Majeure has been declared by Mitsubishi, Furukawa and Dowa for all concentrate shipments to their Japanese smelters.
Force Majeure is a clause in a contract that frees both parties from liability in the case of an extraordinary event.
An act of God such as the earthquake experienced by Japan qualifies under this clause.
"This declaration has no immediate impact and acceptance of a shipment at sea and the next shipment, scheduled for month end has been confirmed for the Naoshima smelter," the news release states.
"While it is not clear how disruptive this event of Force Majeure will be, best estimates are that some shipments may be delayed."
Imperial Metals, which also owns the Mount Polley mine near Williams Lake, is expecting to produce 51,500,000 pounds of copper, 45,400 ounces of gold, and 149,000 ounces of silver for 2011.
Currently two mine plans are being studied to extend the life of the Huckleberry mine, which is currently slated to close mid-2012.
The first is a small extension, called the Stirrup Expansion, will add approximately one year to the mine’s life.
The other will be examining the feasibility of removing the tailings and waste from the main zone pit and mining underneath it.
Representatives from both Huckleberry Mine Ltd. and Imperial Metals were unavailable for comment by press time.