Australian mining company Hillgrove Resources has reported a record quarterly copper production at its Kanmantoo copper mine in South Australia.
Kanmantoo copper mine is an open cut mine located 25km from Mount Baker in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia.
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The company reported a 36% rise in copper production in Q4, which ended on 31 January 2014, compared with a total of 5,838t copper concentrates in the Q3, which was also above the quarterly guidance of 5,400t to 5,600t.
During Q4, 4,362kt of material was mined, which represents an 80% increase on the corresponding period the previous year, and a 28% increase on the best quarter of the year.
Process plant throughput reached 760 000t of ore, while mill head grade increased by 0.83%.
Overall copper produced for the financial year ending 31 January 2014 amounted to 17,184t.
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By GlobalDataHillgrove managing director and CEO Greg Hall said that the newly configured Hillgrove-operated mining fleet has allowed for mine practice amendments, which have reaped dividends for Kanmantoo’s operating performance.
"This can clearly be seen in the reduction in mining dilution, increased mining tonnes, and improved feed grades to the mill.
"Our processing plant group have also continued to improve their throughput rates, run time and copper recovery, all resulting in an increase in copper produced," Hall added.
Kanmantoo mine was initially developed in 1970 and was operational up until 1976, when it was closed due to low prices and increasing copper mining costs.
Hillgrove Resources recommenced the development of Kanmantoo mine upon completion of a lycopodium-managed definitive feasibility study in December 2007.
The mining and rehabilitation plan was sanctioned in April 2010 and production began in November 2011.
Image: Production at Kanmantoo copper mine began in November 2011. Photo: courtesy of Hillgrove Resources Limited.
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