Australian copper-gold miner Oz Minerals reported a 3pc decline in total contained copper production in Q3 from the preceding quarter.
The miner’s contained copper output for Q3 2020 totaled 23,873mt, decreasing from 24,577mt in Q2. During January-September, production amounted to 68,681mt of contained copper. The company did not disclose prior-year figures in its Q3 production overview.
Of the total copper volume for Q3 2020, the company’s Prominent Hill mine in South Australia contributed 14,891mt, declining from 15,065mt in Q2. Oz Minerals is presently working on a pre-feasibility study for the mine’s expansion, according to the company. Part of the project includes a combined annual mining capacity of 4-5mn mt per year for both copper and gold by 2022.
Earlier this month, the miner acquired the Nebo-Babel in the Musgrave province of Western Australia, operated by Cassini Resources. The mine has estimated mineral resources of 340mn mt, grading 0.36pc Cu and 0.33pc Ni. Further decisions on this project will be made by the end of the year.