29Metals is set to produce its first ore at the Golden Grove copper-zinc mine in late 2021. The mine is located in Western Australia.
29Metals managing director and chief executive officer Peter Albert said it would support the strength of Golden Grove into the future.
“We expect a strong finish to 2021 supported by unconstrained operations at Capricorn Copper and increasing contribution of ore from Xantho extended at Golden Grove. Development heading into the Xantho extended ore zone have continued to confirm model grades,” said Albert.
The September quarter proved an overall 10 percent decrease in Golden Grove production. There were 3280 tonnes of copper, 9035 ounces of gold, and 15,518 tonnes of zinc. There were said to be several factors contributing to the mines decrease in production.
“Golden Grove had a weaker than planned quarter due to a rescheduling of zinc stopes which typically carry higher precious metals content, as well as being challenged by increasing external pressures from a further tightening labour market, border restrictions and unseasonably wet conditions that continued from the June quarter into the September quarter,” Albert said.
SAG mill discharge lifter bolts had to be replaced as they failed prematurely. This caused Golden Grove an outage of about 24 hours.
“This issue is unrelated to the successful trial of a new SAG mill hybrid polymetallic shell linings during the period which will elongate liner life and reduce ongoing downtime requirements,” the company stated.
Golden Grove is wholly owned by 29Metals with a mining rate in 2020 of 1.44 million tonnes per annum.