TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – First-quarter production from Equinox Minerals' Lumwana copper mine in Zambia rose 37% compared with a year earlier, the company said on Wednesday.

Output rose to 30 471 t of copper in concentrate.

“The first quarter results are particularly pleasing as they were achieved during the wettest part of the year, reflecting a solid continuation of mine and mill ramp-up at Lumwana,” Equinox said.

“These results establish a sound base for Equinox to meet its full year 2010 guidance of 135 000 t of copper.”

Production during the quarter was affected by a four-day electrical power outage when a Zesco distribution grid pylon came down west of Solwezi due to vandalism, as well as a scheduled seven-day maintenance shutdown to replace the liners in the primary crusher.

Equinox shares slid 0,72% on Wednesday, to C$4,12 apiece by 16:10 in Toronto.

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