Freda Rebecca gold output drops

Published: 30 January 2014

GOLD production at Freda Rebecca Mine declined by 25 percent to 13,072 ounces in the last quarter of 2013 due to engineering down time and the annual shut down.

Pan-African firm, Mwana Africa, which owns the gold mine in Zimbabwe revealed this in an update of its subsidiaries on operations and exploration activity for the quarter ending December 31, 2013.

"The drop in production is attributable to a mill being unavailable temporarily due to engineering down time and shutdowns.

"These were undertaken to make modifications which the company anticipates will lead to an improvement in throughput. Production was also impacted by a drop in head grade due to the temporary cessation of mining at its open pit operations," said Mwana Africa.

It said it has noted improved throughput following the modifications to the mill and does not anticipate that the issues with head grade would continue into the fourth quarter.

"Despite a lower head grade, plant recoveries benefitted from the availability of all three leach tanks resulting in improved leaching efficiencies with an increase to 84,9 percent from 83,6 percent in the last quarter."

Mwana Africa said the pilot plant for tailings retreatment at Freda Rebecca was complete and has entered the commissioning phase.

Meanwhile, the company also reported that during the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter nickel in concentrate sales at Trojan Mine increased by 76 percent to 2,651 tonnnes.

"This was as a result of the continued production ramp up and the commencement of the shaft re-deepening. Quarterly revenue was 74 percent higher at $24,5 million as a result of higher sales volumes."

Mwana Africa chief executive officer Kalaa Mpinga said: "Operationally this has been a mixed quarter for the company.

"We are very pleased with the progress at Trojan and this demonstrates the robustness of the asset. Freda Rebecca, however, had a difficult quarter due to reduced mill availabilities.

"Management time will continue to be focused on operational improvements and delivery of the ongoing cost-cutting exercise during the fourth quarter."
- chronicle

Tags: Gold,