Aurora?s Indomuro gold output up in Q1

Australian gold miner Aurora Gold Limited on Thursday announced that its Central Kalimantan based wholly owned subsidiary PT. Indo Muro Kencana recorded metal production of 56,584 gold equivalent ounces, a 19 percent increase over the previous quarter.

Aurora said the increased metal production resulted from a 21 percent improvement in both gold and silver grade compared to the previous quarter.

Aurora said mining operations were temporarily interrupted at Kerikil 3 pit on 19 January and again on 27 January when this pit was occupied by illegal miners. Following these events, the company operated with free access to all its operating mining areas for the remainder of the quarter.

The cessation of production and consequential closure of the Mount Muro mine remains on target for June 2002, said the company in its quarterly report.

Mine closure expenditure totalled US$1.4 million during the quarter.

Closure of the mine remain on target for June 2002, said the company.(alex/Robert)