Xstrata decision to close Windimurra down wasn't due to it's " terrible, low grade low recovery orebody that yields a low grade concentrate".
The decision to close the mine was to benefit Xstrata's other vanadium operations in cheap-labour South Africa which becacme virtually a monopoly supplier of vanadium and dramatically drove up vanadium prices. The closure was aimed at maximising profits from Xstrata's Rhovan mine in South Africa, which was expanding significantly. PMA's problems were financial and their effects to finace the last 15% of the project was hampered by the GFC.
ATI Price at posting:
95.0¢ Sentiment: LT Buy Disclosure: Held