PERTH (miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed gold miner Resolute Mining has regained its footing following heavy rains at its Syama operation, in Mali, during the September quarter, with the miner on Tuesday reporting increased production during the three months to December.
During the quarter, Resolute produced 70 485 oz of gold, which was up from the 67 078 oz of gold produced in the previous quarter.
The miner noted that production at the Syama operation reached 44 118 oz during the quarter, up from the 42 847 oz produced in the previous quarter. The September quarter output was affected by heavy rains, which necessitated the treatment of lower-grade stockpiles.
Resolute said that heavy rain in early December, which limited access to higher-grade ore at the base of the openpit operation, had impacted on sulphide production at Syama. Gold grades subsequently increased once mining of higher-grade ore at the base of the pit resumed.
Despite the lower head grades early in the quarter, continuing circuit improvements saw recoveries improve to 76.4% during the quarter, with consistent flotation recovery also complemented by improved carbon-in-leach recoveries.
Meanwhile, gold production at the Ravenswood mine, in Australia, delivered 26 367 oz of gold, compared with the 24 231 oz delivered in the September quarter.
Throughput at the Ravenswood mine was higher during the December quarter, owing to increased mine production.
Resolute on Tuesday maintained its full 2015 production guidance of 315 000 oz. The Syama operation was expected to deliver increased output during the March quarter as higher-grade ore was sourced from the Syama pit, along with additional ounces from the new oxide plant as the ramp-up of production continued.