PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Nickel miner Western Areas has reported another strong quarter in the three months to December, with miner production reaching 157 481 t, grading an average 4.4% nickel for 6 917 t of nickel.
This compared with the 7 062 t produced in the previous quarter.
Western Areas told shareholders on Wednesday that mine grade for the quarter reduced on that reported in the first quarter, in line with the mine schedule and plan.
The Flying Fox mine produced 3 183 t of nickel during the quarter under review, with the Spotted Quoll mine delivering the balance of 3 734 t. The Spotted Quoll mine delivered a record ore tonnage of 81 318 t during the quarter, and a record half-year of 16 020 t.
Meanwhile, the Cosmic Boy concentrator processed 152 435 t of ore, at an average grade of 4.6% during the quarter, delivering a total 39 545 t of concentrate grading 15.8% nickel.
As a result, 6 256 t of nickel was produced, with a metallurgical recovery of 89.3%. Cosmic Boy reported its highest monthly throughput rate of 54 095 t during the month of December.
Western Areas previously estimated that mine production for the full year would reach between 25 000 t and 27 000 t and nickel-in-concentrate production 24 000 t to 25 000 t.