TORONTO (miningweekly.com) - Vancouver-based First Quantum Minerals produced 93 500 t of copper during the third quarter, an increase of 14% compared with the same period last year.

For the first nine months of 2009, the company recorded production of 275 300 t of copper, 15% higher than a year earlier.

First Quantum has assets in Mauritania, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia.

In September, the company halted operations at its Kolwezi project, after an order was issued by the general prosecutor of the DRC's Katanga province to "seal" the facilities of Kingamyambo Musonoi Tailings (KMT), the permit holder.

The Kolwezi project is owned by First Quantum (65%), DRC State mining company GÈcamines (12,5%), the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (10%), the International Finance Corporation (7,5%) and the government of the DRC (5%).

First Quantum has said it and its partners believe the government's actions do not have any legal standing.

Meanwhile, the company said on Monday that stockpiles of copper concentrate at the end of the third quarter decreased 30% across its operations, compared with the June 30 levels, to approximately 25 500 t of copper in concentrate.

The stockpile at its Kansanshi mine, in Zambia, decreased 35%, reflecting a full quarter of export shipments following the receipt in May of a government exemption on the 15% concentrate export levy.

Shares in First Quantum rose 1,5% on Monday, to C$72,99 apiece by 16:10 in Toronto.