Business
Second quarter operations update
Second quarter operations update.
About this update from Atalaya Mining Copper Sa
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \nRNS Number : 5068M Atalaya Mining PLC 31 July 2017 \n\n31 July 2017\nAtalaya Mining Plc\n(\"Atalaya\" or the \"Company\")\nSecond Quarter 2017 Operations Update \n \nAtalaya Mining plc (AIM:ATYM, TSX:AYM), the European mining and development company, announces its operations update for the three months ended June 30, 2017.\n \nPROYECTO RIOTINTO\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSecond Quarter\n\n\nFirst Quarter\n\n\nFull year forecast\n\n\n\n\n2017\n\n\n2016\n\n\n2017\n\n\n2017\n\n\n\n\nOre mined\n\n\n(M tonnes)\n\n\n2.3\n\n\n1.3\n\n\n2.3\n\n\n9.5 - 9.8\n\n\n\n\nWaste mined\n\n\n(M tonnes)\n\n\n4.6\n\n\n3.8\n\n\n4.3\n\n\n18.1 - 18.2\n\n\n\n\nOre milled\n\n\n(M tonnes)\n\n\n2.2\n\n\n1.3\n\n\n2.2\n\n\n9.5\n\n\n\n\nCu grade\n\n\n(%)\n\n\n0.49\n\n\n0.44\n\n\n0.48\n\n\n0.49 - 0.51\n\n\n\n\nCu recovery\n\n\n(%)\n\n\n85.09\n\n\n79.80\n\n\n84.63\n\n\n79 - 82\n\n\n\n\nCu production\n\n\n(tonnes)\n\n\n9,058\n\n\n4,442\n\n\n8,805\n\n\n34,000 - 40,000\n\n\n\n\n \nProduction results at Proyecto Riotinto have improved compared to the previous quarter and were in line with targets for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. The operation reports throughput rate of 2.2 million tonnes of ore processed, similar to the previous quarter with an improvement in the recovery rate to a record of 85.09%. The overall tonnage processed was affected negatively by the replacement of one of the main transformers to improve energy efficiencies. Full year forecasts for copper production remain as previously guided at 34,000 - 40,000 tonnes.\n \nMining operations are running at an increasing rate quarter-on-quarter, as a result of adjusted drilling and blasting parameters. On a combined basis, ore, waste and marginal ore amounted to 2.8 Mm3 in Q2 2017 versus 2.5 Mm3 in Q1 2017. The mining contractor has launched a replacement programme for the mining fleet. New loaders and trucks are expected to be delivered to site over the next two quarters in anticipation of a potential increase in mining rates. Additionally, modifications to the primary milling circuit, which includes a pebble crusher in closed circuit with the primary mill, have already reported better milling efficiencies.\n \nThe Company continues to implement initiatives to reduce operating costs of the mine such as adding additional rougher flotation capacity in order to increase plan...