International base metals producer Altona Mining has reported a 28% increase in copper production to 140,000 tonnes at 1.62% copper and 0.68 grams per tonne gold from Outokumpu project for the quarter ended, 31 December 2012.
The company increased its production guidance to 6,500-7,000 tonnes of copper and 6,500-7,000 ounces of gold for the year to 30 June 2013.
"The increased ore productivity is primarily due to decline and level development being sufficiently advanced to permit production of ore from stoping to reach design levels," said Altona.
Altona is also keen to increase the production capacity of the Outokumpu project by 30%-50% and has initiated studies to ascertain the same; results of the studies are expected by mid-2013.
The miner secured three licenses for the Roseby Copper Project and subsequently sought a permit for its development.
Altona is also expected to undertake an optimization and value engineering exercise on the Little Eva Definitive Feasibility Study to explore the possible options for a staged development.
Xstrata Mining, meanwhile, failed to exercise its option to acquire a 51% interest in the project, as per the Heads of Agreement reached on 1 March 2005.