Straits reports lower gold production from Mt. Muro
Monday, April 29 2013 - 04:49 AM WIB
ASX-listed firm Straits Resources Limited reported on Monday that gold and silver production from its Mount Muro mine in Central Kalimantan reached 7,639 ounces and 157,162 ounces, respectively during the January-March Quarter of 2013, lower than production of 8,499 ounces of gold and 185,042 ounces of silver during corresponding period of the previous quarter.
The company said that there were a number of challengers faced by the operation that caused the poor performance; provincial government directions that stopped mining in the east end of Serujan pit from early January until early March and lower than expected grades from the west end of the Serujan pit. Mining operations were also disrupted at various times by illegal mining activity.
In early January the operation received an order from the Regional Governor for mining activities to cease until there was clarity over the boundary defining the buffer zone between mining activities in the Serujan Pit and a site of local cultural significance. After a period of consultation with the key external stakeholders, operations resumed in the eastern end of the Serujan Pit in the first week of March with the strong support of the local community, the company said.
Mining has re-started in the east end of Serujan pit and this is supplying softer oxide ore for the mill. Gold and shier grades are increasing as result. Mining in the west end of the pit, on the new design is focused on dropping into the higher grade ore at depth, it added.
Straits said that gold ounces equivalent production for the June quarter is targeted for between 19,000 oz Au and 21,000 oz with full year production guidance being between 58,500 and 60,500 gold equivalent ounces.
Mt Muro Production Statistics
? |
DEC 2012 QTR |
MAR 2013 QTR |
|
MINED |
ORE TONNES |
216,006 |
402,246 |
WASTE TONNES |
2,148,147 |
2,203,722 |
|
ORE MILLED |
TONNES |
230,790 |
301,319 |
MILLED GRADE |
GOLD(G/T) |
1.24 |
0.87 |
SILVER (G/T) |
27.29 |
23.34 |
|
RECOVERY |
GOLD(%) |
94.16% |
93.72% |
SILVER(%) |
85.89 % |
78.04 % |
|
PRODUCTION |
GOLD(oz) |
8,499 |
7,639 |
SILVER (oz) |
185,042 |
157,162 |
|
GOLD (oz) |
12,026 |
10,517 |
|
SALES |
GOLD (oz) |
8,519 |
7,523 |
SILVER (oz) |
201,830 |
150,215 |
|
GOLD Eq (oz) |
12,334 |
10,282 |
|
Editing by Alexander Ginting