Kelian?s Q3 gold output increases on higher ore grade milled

Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto reported on Wednesday that gold production from its Kelian gold mine in East Kalimantan increased to 176,000 ounces during the third quarter of this year from 130,000 ounces during last year?s corresponding period. This quarter?s production is also higher than previous quarter?s production of 128,000 ounces.

Ore milled during the quarter was 1.787 million tones with average ore grades of 3.83 gram per tonne, lower than previous quarter?s 1.857 million tones with average ore grade of 2.71.

?Ore treated in the third quarter was lower than in the previous quarter due to lower plant availability resulting from a delay of ball mill maintenance from June to august, to coincide with tailings line repair and replacement. Gold grade and production was higher due to an increase in the percentage of huger ore grade direct from the pit and a reduction of lower grade stockpile ore treated,? said Rio Tinto in its third quarterly report submitted to The Australian Stock Exchange.

Rio Tinto controls 90 percent stake of PT. Kelian Equatorial Mining, the operator of Kelian gold mine. Kelian is scheduled to cease mining operations in the next few years due to ore depletion. (alex)