The company has raised the copper production estimates to 6,500 tons – 7,000 tons from previously reported 5,000 tons – 6,000tons, while gold production estimate has beenincreased to 6,500ounces – 7,000ounces.
The recent output of the mine is reportedly ahead of company’s guidance, demonstrating 18% increase in copper reserve grade from 1.2% to 1.4% copper in the upper Wallaby ore body.
March was an exceptional month with 1,100 tons of copper produced from the highest grade part of the Wallaby zone, the company added.
Meanwhile, Altona expects copper production in the range of 7,500 tons to 8,000 tons of contained copper in concentrate for the year ended 30 June 2013.
Gold production for the similar period is expected to be from 7,500 ounces to 8,000 ounces of contained gold in concentrate. However, Altona claimed that the current high grade production would fall to global reserve grade of 1.7% copper with production moving to lower grade areas of the Wallaby Zone.
