Central Asia Metals plc said it was on course to meet group guidance and project developments at the Kounrad copper recovery plant in Kazakhstan and zinc-lead mine in North Macedonia.
PRODUCTION
The company’s figures for the first quarter of 2023 shows production of copper at 3,336 tonnes (Q1 2022: 3,024t).
Compared with the same period last year, output fell for zinc in concentrate to 4,917t (Q1 2022: 5,240t) and lead in concentrate 6,618t (Q1 2022: 6,736).
The group recorded no lost time injuries.
For full year 2023, Central Asia Metals’ guidance for copper is 13,000 to 14,000t; zinc in concentrate 19,000 to 21,000t; and lead in concentrate 27,000 to 29,000t.
PASTE FILL MINING
The company continues its preparations to change operations at Sasa to paste fill mining.
By the end of Q1 2023, all aspects of the development projects on the site remained on track for the transition.
Dry commissioning of the paste backfill plant will begin in April 2023 while more than 1,800 metres of the new central decline has been completed.
Chief executive Nigel Robinson added that the company was also on course with the construction of the 4.77MW solar plant at Kounrad.
“We have had a solid start to 2023 with no LTIs at either site and a very good first quarter of production at Kounrad.
“We are on target to meet 2023 guidance at both sites.”