PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Nova base metals project, in Western Australia has beaten its full year production guidance, owner Independence Group said on Wednesday.
During the full year ended June, the mine produced 30 436 t of contained nickel, 13 772 to of contained copper and 1 142 t of contained cobalt, which was above the set guidance of between 27 000 t and 30 000 t of nickel, between 11 000 t and 12 500 t of copper and between 850 and 905 t of cobalt.
For the three months to June, Nova produced 7 181 t of contained nickel, 3 210 t of contained copper and 277 t of contained cobalt.
Meanwhile, Independence also reported that the Tropicana joint venture, also in Western Australia, had met its production target for the 2020 financial year, producing 463 118 oz of gold, which was within the target range of between 450 000 oz and 500 000 oz.
In the quarter ended June, the gold mine delivered 102 007 oz of gold.
Independence’s share of the gold in the full year reached 141 169 oz, and 30 617 oz in the June quarter.
“FY20 was a year of unique challenges, including devastating bushfires and the Covid-19 pandemic. Throughout, the company has demonstrated outstanding resilience and adaptability while achieving excellent operational performance,” said Independence MD and CEO Peter Bradford.
“At Nova, production of all metals exceeded guidance, with nickel production slightly higher than the top end of guidance, while copper and cobalt production were around 10% and 20% higher respectively.
“Tropicana production ended the year below the mid-point of guidance, as we transitioned into the treatment of stockpiled ore with consequential lower milled grades. Stockpiked ore will continue to be a significant source of ore through FY21, supplementing run-of-mine ore from the Boston Shaker openpit and the new underground mine, which remains on schedule to reach commercial production during the September quarter, along with the Havana openpit as the Stage 2 cutback is developed.”