Albanian Chrome ACR to spend $20mln on extending lifespan of mine

TIRANA, Oct 20؁lbanian Chrome ACR will invest $20 million to extend the lifespan of the Bulqize mine by 20 years, the domestic Shqip newspaper reported.
“Drilling that is being realized with more advanced technology will allow us to extend the mine’s life by at least 20 years. We will achieve a reserve of 1.8 million tons of chromium,” mine director Petrit Duva was quoted as saying.
“Works for deepening pit no. 7 will take approximately 4 years, but we are confident that within the second year we will witness improvements and geological indicators of production,” Duva added.
The mine is currently producing about 7,000 tons per month of high-grade chrome and the investment is expected to increase output to 150,000 tons per year, Shqip said.
Albanian Chrome ACR has a concession that includes reserves of chrome at Bulqize, two ferrochrome plants in Elbasan and Burrel, an enrichment plant in Klos, and other industrial units.