JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Magnetite production at JSE-listed Palabora Mining’s operation continued to bolster the company in the second quarter, as copper output struggles to recover from underground and concentrator challenges.

Magnetite output increased by 29% on the first quarter to 1.5-million tons, while copper concentrate production for the quarter was 12% lower than the corresponding quarter in the previous financial year, on the back of work disruptions associated with a major stoppage at the concentrator following a closure order.

However, concentrate produced was 35% higher compared with the previous quarter, owing mainly to the deliberate reduction of concentrate grade from 28% to 25% and the recovery of 8 600 t of historic low-grade concentrates.

“The concentrate grade was strategically reduced to increase material smelted, which is also blended with imported concentrate,” the company said in a statement on Monday.

Copper-in-concentrate production was in line with concentrate produced except for the additional impact of lower concentrate grade. The lower grade in concentrate produced meant that the increase in copper in concentrate was lower than the increase in concentrate produced in the previous quarter. 

New concentrate smelted was 5% and 11% higher than the previous quarter and the corresponding quarter in 2012 respectively, owing mainly to the increased processing of high-grade imported concentrate.

Further, the company improved total ore hoisted by 13% to 2.3-million tons on the previous quarter, which was affected by a failure in the south winder bearing, but was 14% lower than the comparative quarter in 2012.

Ore treated was 23% lower than the corresponding quarter in 2012 on the back of lower underground throughput, as well as the suspension of concentrator operations following an injury.

Vermiculite production increased by 28% compared with the previous quarter and was 41% higher than the corresponding quarter in 2012.

“Inventory increased by 13 000 t for the first half of the year and production will be monitored to ensure continued alignment with sales in line with market conditions,” the company said.