Reopened copper mine in Ruth sends out first shipment

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Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2004 | 10:58 a.m.

RUTH -- Five years after depressed copper prices forced the Robinson mine to shut down, the first truckload of concentrate pulled out on Tuesday in what its new owner sees as a renewal of the facility and Ely-area residents hope is a rebirth of the region.

The huge open pit northwest of Ely shut down in 1999.

BHP Billiton, based in Melbourne, Australia, sold Robinson to Quadra Mining Ltd., of Vancouver, British Columbia, six months ago.

Tuesday's initial truckload and those that follow will go to Wendover, Utah, where it will be loaded on train cars bound for Sacramento, Calif. General Manager Chuck Geary said 700 to 900 tons of concentrate will be trucked daily.