FQM RECORDS REDUCTION IN COPPER PRODUCTION IN ZAMBIA IN SECOND QUARTER

By Michael Kaluba

First Quantum Minerals –FQM- has recorded over 2,000 tonnes decrease in its copper production at its Kansanshi mine in Solwezi for the second quarter of 2022.

Kansanshi’s copper production was 39,719 tonnes translating into a total reduction in production of 2,180 tonnes, while the company’s copper production at its Sentinel mine in Kalumbila of 52,447 tonnes was on target but means the combined production from the two mines was lower than the previous quarter.

FQM’s Chief Executive Officer, Tristan Pascall explains that the results at the company’s Kansanshi mine were affected by lower feed grades due to current mining conditions and higher than anticipated water levels caused by an extended rainy season which restricted mining deployment while requiring supplementary plant feed from a low grade stockpiles.

In a

statement, Mr. Pascall however says extensive work has been conducted on a new geological approach to narrower and lower mineralized veins that comprise around 20 percent of the sulphide ores at Kansanshi, which is expected to improve optimization of the mine plan in the near term with the mine tracking towards the lower end of the guidance range of 175,000 to 195,000 tonnes.

He adds that grades at sentinel are expected to return to planned levels over the coming months with an improved grade profile in the second half of 2022 compared to the first six months, anticipated to result in improved production levels over the course of the full year tracking towards the lower end of the guidance range of 250,000 to 265,000 tonnes of copper.

PHOENIX NEWS