Kanmantoo mine owner Hillgrove Resources fixes problems, gets back on track at Adelaide Hills mine HILLGROVE Resources will cut operational costs and increase throughput at its Kanmantoo copper mine, ending year-long production problems related to a crusher. Hillgrove managing director Greg Hall said a new primary crusher circuit had been installed and commissioned at the Adelaide Hills mine, resulting in savings of $400,000 in monthly operational costs. The improvements also mean about 2.8 million tonnes of ore can now be processed annually - from the previous figure of 2.4 million tonnes per year - to produce 80,000 dry metric tonnes of copper concentrate. Production at the mine, which opened in December 2011, had slowed after the previous crusher failed to perform to expected levels during a ramp-up in March last year. "With Kanmantoo now achieving the targeted annual production levels for the mine and the resulting revenue, the project is right on track," Mr Hall said. Hillgrove plans to mine 30-32 million tonnes of ore containing 190,000 tonnes of copper over the next 10 years. Shares in Hillgrove rose 4 per cent to 9.4c in early trade.