Business
Second Quarter 2018 Operations Update
Second Quarter 2018 Operations Update.
About this update from Atalaya Mining Copper Sa
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \nRNS Number : 6117U Atalaya Mining PLC 16 July 2018 \n\n16 July 2018\nAtalaya Mining Plc\n(\"Atalaya\" or the \"Company\")\nSecond Quarter 2018 Operations Update\n \nAtalaya Mining Plc (AIM:ATYM, TSX:AYM) is pleased to announce its operations update for the second quarter of 2018.\n \nPROYECTO RIOTINTO\n \n\n\n\n\n \n\n\nSecond quarter\n\n\nFirst quarter\n\n\nFull year guidance\n\n\n\n\n2018\n\n\n2017\n\n\n2018\n\n\n2018 \n\n\n\n\nOre mined\n\n\n(M tonnes)\n\n\n2.6\n\n\n2.3\n\n\n2.6\n\n\n9.7\n\n\n\n\nWaste mined\n\n\n(M tonnes)\n\n\n4.8\n\n\n4.6\n\n\n5.4\n\n\n16.5\n\n\n\n\nOre milled\n\n\n(M tonnes)\n\n\n2.5\n\n\n2.2\n\n\n2.2\n\n\n9.6\n\n\n\n\nCu grade\n\n\n(%)\n\n\n0.48\n\n\n0.49\n\n\n0.48\n\n\n0.48\n\n\n\n\nCu recovery\n\n\n(%)\n\n\n87.31\n\n\n85.09\n\n\n88.47\n\n\n84 - 86\n\n\n\n\nCu production\n\n\n(tonnes)\n\n\n10,446\n\n\n9,058\n\n\n9,441\n\n\n37,000 - 40,000\n\n\n\n\n \nCopper production at Proyecto Riotinto for Q2 2018 has increased to 10,446 tonnes from 9,058 tonnes reported in Q2 2017, and 9,441 tonnes in Q1 2018, representing an increase of 15% and 11% respectively. This quarter's copper production replaces Q1 2018's as the second highest quarterly production on record.\n \nIn terms of ore milled, 2.5 million tonnes were processed in the quarter, the highest ever quarterly throughput. Copper head grade was in line with expectations. The increase in copper production during the quarter is mainly attributable to the high volume of ore milled with above-budgeted metallurgical recovery rates, averaging 87.31%. Processing throughput was better than expected mainly due to high utilisation rates.\n \nThe Company maintains its previously stated copper production guidance for 2018 of 37,000 - 40,000 tonnes.\n \nMining operations are progressing to plan and at similar levels to previous quarters. On a combined basis, ore, waste and marginal ore amounted to 2.6 million m3 in Q2 2018 versus 3.0 million m3 in Q1 2018. After the heavy rains in March, mining operations returned to the original mining plan from May onwards.\n \nAs part of the Company's continuous improvements programme, a cone crusher has been installed and it will operate as a secondary crusher. It is expected to become operational during Q3 2018. As previously reported, modifications to current screening and cr...