PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Australian gold miner Ramelius Resources has reported an increase in gold production as it started mining at the Western Queen South operation, and its Mt Magnet project increased production.
During the three months to March, Ramelius delivered a gold production of 20 514 oz, compared with the 20 231 oz produced at the end of the three months to December.
The Mt Magnet operation, in Western Australia, reported a production of 14 553 oz during the quarter ended March, with record production of 5 831 oz achieved during the month of March.
First ore from the Western Queen South operation was expected at the Mount Magnet operation by the September quarter of this year.
Meanwhile, milling of stockpiled ore at the Burbanks mill, in Western Australia, also continued during the quarter under review, with ore from the discontinued Wattle Dam operation forming the majority of ore feed during the quarter.
Ramelius noted that mill grades were generally above those predicted, resulting in above-expected production. During the three months to March, mill production reached 47 061 t, at a head grade of 3.95 g/t gold.
The ASX-listed Ramelius said that it was continuing to work towards options to replace Wattle Dam gold production from the second half of this year, including the development of the Coogee project.
A toll milling assignment was expected to keep the mill occupied until the Coogee project started.