Aurora?s C. Kalimantan gold production up in Q2 2001

Australian gold miner Aurora Gold Limited said Monday that gold production in its Central Kalimantan mine during the second quarter of the year increased 16 percent to 57,290 gold equivalent ounces.

The company said the production increase resulted from an 8.5 percent and 14 percent increase in ore milled and gold grade respectively from the previous quarter.

Ore milled for the quarter was 440,471 tons, an 8.5 percent increase over the previous quarter and a quarterly throughput record for the project.

According to the company, the increase in ore milled follows from a change to the operating plan, whereby throughput was increased to recover the first quarter?s unfavorable production variance.

Gold grade increased with less low grade ore presented to the mill following a 23 percent increase in ore production due to unseasonably dry weather, good mining fleet availability and improved access to ore.

The final downstream lift of the tailings storage facility embankment was completed on time and under budget during the quarter at a total cost of A $3 million, of which A$1.6 million was spent during the quarter, said the company.

The company further said that exploration in the area to find gold vein to extend the mine?s life continued during the quarter.

Aurora through its wholly owned subsidiary PT Indomuro Kencana runs a gold mine in Hulu Sungai Utara regency in Central Kalimantan. (alex)