TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Vancouver-based Quadra Mining expects to produce 250-million pounds of copper this year from its three mines, 52% more than the 164-million pounds reported for 2009.

Quadra owns the Carlota mine, in Arizona, and the Robinson mine, in Nevada, and has begun operations at the Franke project, in Chile, which it acquired last year.

Copper production in 2009 increased almost 3%, compared with 159,7-million pounds a year earlier, and the company also produced 98 970 oz of gold.

Gold production in 2008 was 132 620 oz.

“All three operations were able to meet or exceed our revised guidance,” CEO Paul Blythe said in a statement.

“Robinson saw the expected improvement in recoveries as we were able to benefit from our blending strategy across the quarter.

“Carlota was able to achieve higher percolation rates on a consistent basis and was also able to deliver higher-grade ore to the heaps, resulting in steady improvements in cathode production through the quarter.

“Franke completed the planned modifications to the crushing system, and although more work will be required to improve availability, the plant has begun to deliver at design performance."

During the fourth quarter of 2009, Quadra produced 46,7-million pounds of copper and 25 148 oz of gold.

The company said studies are continuing on its Sierra Gorda copper/molybdenum project, in Chile, and has sent a letter of intent to SNC-Lavalin to lead the engineering work for the prefeasibility study.

The company expects to spend $40-million on the study during 2010, which it will fund internally.

Discussions with potential partners for Sierra Gorda are ongoing, Quadra said.

Shares in the company rose 5,4% on Monday, to C$16,50 apiece by 12:33 in Toronto.

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