London-based Central Asia Metals’ (CAML) Kounrad plant produced 13,771mt copper in 2019 and has maintained a production guidance of 12,500-13,500mt for 2020. CAML’s forecast for zinc production is 23,000-25,000mt and lead guidance is 30,000-32,000mt.
CAML owns Kounrad copper facility in Kazakhstan and Sasa zinc and lead mine in North Macedonia.
Operational Highlights 2019
In 2019, Kounrad plant produced 13,771mt copper, down by 2pc from 14,049mt produced in the prior year. Sasa mine produced 23,360mt of zinc concentrate, up by 3pc and 29,201mt of lead concentrate, down by 0.6pc from the prior year.
| Metal Production (mt) | 2019 | 2018 | % Change |
| Copper | 13,771 | 14,049 | -2% |
| Zinc | 23,369 | 22,535 | 4% |
| Lead | 29,201 | 29,388 | -1% |
CAML is reviewing operations at Sasa to replace its ageing mining fleet. The company has decided to move to cut and fill stoping mining method at the Svinja Reka, which could lead to higher recoveries. It expects to complete engineering studies and an updated resource estimate for Svinja Reka during the second half of 2020. The company’s gross debt was at $108.8mn, a reduction of $36.1mn in 2019, as on Dec 31, 2019.