Australia’s OZ Minerals in 2019 produced a total of 109,289mt of copper, down by 6pc from 115,998mt, in the year prior.
The company produced 28,659mt of copper in Oct-Dec 2019 period, down by 3pc from the prior year period. The company’s copper production was in the range of its 2019 guidance ranging between 101,000 – 111,500mt.
Prominent hill, the company’s major copper, silver and gold mine in South Australia produced 102,479mt of copper in 2019, down by 7pc from the prior year production of 110,111mt. The company’s Brazilian mine, Antas produced 6,810mt of copper in 2019 from 5,887mt in 2018.
| Total Production (mt) | 2019 | 2018 | Pc Change | Q4 2019 | Q4 2018 | Pc Change |
| Copper | 109,289 | 115,998 | -6% | 28,659 | 29,483 | -3% |
Prominent Hill produced 26,845mt of copper in Oct-Dec period which resulted in the company achieving the guidance for 2019, reaching guidance for the fifth consecutive year, according to the company. Production of copper at Antas in the December quarter, however, fell by 37pc from the prior year.
| Copper Production | Q4 2019 | Q4 2018 | PC Change |
| Prominent | 26,845 | 26,559 | 1% |
| Antas | 1,814 | 2,883 | -37% |
Oz Minerals anticipates the copper and gold output to rise at its new Carrapateena mine in South Australia. The mine is expected to provide 20,000 to 25,000mt of copper in 2020. The company has lowered its copper guidance for 2020 to 83,000–100,000mt.