Kansanshi increases copper production
Thursday, October 22, 2009, 9:32
Economy42 views
3 commentsFIRST Quantum Minerals, owners of Kansanshi Mine and Bwana Mkubwa, have announced copper production of 93,500 tonnes for the third quarter and 275,300 for the first nine months of 2009.
First Quantum president, Clive Newall said in a news release posted on the company website that the production levels represented an increase of about 14 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively.
“First Quantum today reported copper production of 93,500 tonnes for the third quarter and 275,300 for the first nine months of 2009. These production levels exceed those of the equivalent 2008 periods by 14 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively,” Mr Newall said.
Kansanshi Mine in Solwezi contributed the bulk, weighing in with a production of 61,300 tonnes during the third quarter, up from 53,400 during the same period last year, and produced 182,500 after the first nine months of the year against 153,300 tonnes produced last year.
After producing 1,600 tonnes in the third quarter last year and 5,300 tonnes after nine months, the closed Bwana Mkubwa operation in Ndola has not produced anything this year.
The Guelb Moghrein operation in Mauritania produced 7,400 tonnes in the first quarter of this year and 24,800 after nine months, while Frontier in the Democratic Republic of Congo produced 24,800 in the first quarter and 68,000 after nine months.
Meanwhile, stockpiles of copper concentrate as at September 30, 2009 decreased by 30 per cent to about 25,500 tonnes of copper in concentrate (Kansanshi 21,900 tonnes, Frontier 3,100 tonnes and Guelb Moghrein 500 tonnes) from the June 30, 2009 level.
Mr Newall said a 35 per cent decrease in the Kansanshi stockpile reflected a full quarter of export shipments following the receipt on May 18, 2009 of a Government exemption on the 15 per cent concentrate export levy.
He said production and stockpile numbers were preliminary and may be subject to final adjustment, adding that further information would be published in the company’s third quarter operating and financial results.
[Times of Zambia]