Straits completed its Feasibility study on the Whim Creek Copper Project in 1996. At this stage WCCP provided Straits with an open pit mine - heap leach - SX-EW copper project to follow on from its successful Girilambone Copper Operation (GCC). Since this time Straits has continued to review WCCP investigating a number of development and production scenarios._x000D_
The development of Whim Creek, early 2004 and is on schedule to commence copper production in the final quarter of 2004. On current reserves Whim Creek will produce approximately 17 000 tonnes of copper cathode per annum for three to four years, at cash costs of <$a0.80 per pound and require an initial capital investment of approximately $24m._x000d_>
The paper will cover a general description of the project, the project development and key design issues. Additional construction related issues associated with the complete relocation of the GCC plant to Whim Creek will be covered in the conference presentation._x000D_
FORMAL CITATION:Readett, D, Storey, P, Deans, B and Lancaster, T, 2004._x000D_
Whim Creek copper project - Strait's bridesmaid gets to the altar, in Proceedings Metallurgical Plant Design and Operating Strategies 2004, pp 637-656 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).