Phile Mining Corp. said operations at its Padcal Mine were disrupted following a structural failure at the mill plant over the weekend, dealing a setback to daily production at one of the country’s longest-running mining operations.
The Padcal Mine, which has been operating since 1958, has undergone several mine-life extensions by optimizing its existing mine and mill facilities.
However, Philex said operational challenges associated with an aging asset continue to affect day-to-day performance, with the latest incident impacting the mill’s Secondary and Tertiary Crushing (STC) system.
A portion of the mill’s structural support failed at the tertiary bins of the STC, affecting vibrating screens and misaligning connecting conveyors. This rendered the entire STC system—which feeds ore into the grinding section—non-operational.
As a result, Philex said milling operations are currently running at reduced capacity using unaffected processing facilities. Detailed engineering assessments and repair works are under way to restore normal production levels.
The company said there is sufficient ore underground to supply the mill through the unaffected Cable Hauled Conveyor (CHC) system.
However, the STC breakdown is expected to significantly limit output while repairs are ongoing.
Philex emphasized that no injuries, fatalities, or environmental impacts were reported following the incident.
The STC process serves as the critical link between primary crushing, which handles ore from underground, and the grinding section, where ore is further processed. Any prolonged disruption, the company noted, could weigh on near-term production performance at Padcal.
