PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Australia’s largest gold miner Newcrest on Tuesday reported a 3% quarter-on-quarter increase in gold production, as mill throughput increased at the Gosowong and Lihir operations.

During the three months to the end of December, Newcrest produced some 579 073 oz of gold. Copper production reached 18 171 t, which was slightly lower than the previous quarter.

At the Cadia Valley operations, in New South Wales, Newcrest produced some 118 203 oz of gold and 10 731 t of copper. This compared with the September quarter performance of 150 277 oz of gold and 11 763 t of copper.

The gold miner noted that production at Cadia Valley had been impacted by a ground slip in the Cadia Hill openpit mine, during November, which blocked an access ramp and prevented heavy vehicle access to the bottom of the pit, for the remainder of the quarter.

Milling at the operation continued with ore feed sourced from lower-grade stockpiles, while an alternative ramp access was re-established. Newcrest said that mining activity was expected to resume in January.

At the Lihir operation, in Papua New Guinea, the mine produced some 157 059 oz of gold, compared with the 134 685 oz produced in the previous quarter.

Gold production at Lihir increased by 17% from the September quarter, owing to a higher mill throughput and increased metal recoveries. Newcrest noted that this was partially offset by a lower gold feed grade, as high rainfall continued during the quarter, impeding production from high-grade positions in the Lienitz pit.

The rain events also resulted in lower ex-pit material movements.

At Gosowong, in Indonesia, Newcrest produced 107 500 oz of gold, compared with the 79 798 oz produced in the preceding three months.

The 35% increase in production was attributed to record mill throughput at the operation, with gold feed grade and recoveries consistent with the previous quarter.

The Telfer operation, in Western Australia, produced 135 427 oz during the three months under review, as well as 7 440 t of copper. This was compared with the 137 229 oz of gold and 7 465 t of copper in the previous quarter.

Gold production at Telfer was slightly lower than the previous quarter, with the benefit of higher gold recovery rates offset by lower feed grades. Mill throughput was consistent with the previous quarter.

At the Bonikro mine, in Côte d’Ivoire, Newcrest produced 23 771 oz of gold, compared with the 22 740 oz produced in the previous three months.

The miner said that the 5% increase in gold production was attributable to a higher mill throughput, which was partly offset by planned lower feed grades and associated recoveries.

Newcrest has previously warned that its gold production guidance for the 2011/12 financial year would be around 6% lower than expected, at between 2.43-million and 2.55-million ounces, following the production disruptions at Cadia Valley and Lihir, as well as the lower feed grades and recoveries at Telfer.
 

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