London-based Kaz Minerals reported a rise in copper output from its Kazakh-focused mining operations, in H1 2020.
Andrew Southam, chief executive officer, Kaz Minerals said that the company is entering H2 2020 with an “elevated risk” owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions. He stated that production is currently on par with the annual guidance though the Kazakh government implemented a second lockdown on July 5.
Copper production rose 4pc to 153,800mt in H1 2020 from 147,600mt in the same period last year. For Q2 2020, copper output rose 1pc to 78,900mt from 77,600mt in the same quarter last year. A majority of copper produced came from the Aktogay mine in Astana, Kazakhstan, which produced 67,600mt and 34,300mt in H1 and Q2, respectively.
The company also produced 23,800mt of zinc concentrate in the first six months of this year, up 29pc from 18,400mt in H1 2019. From April-June, concentrate output tallied at 14,800mt reflecting a rise of 21pc from 12,200mt in the prior-year period.