Iron ore miner Oz Minerals Ltd
(ASX:OZL) has narrowed its 2009 guidance for copper production from its Prominent Hill mine in South Australia.
The company says it now expects copper output of 85,000 tonnes to 90,000 tonnes for the year compared to previous forecasts for between 85,000 and 100,000 tonnes.
The miner produced 28,316 tonnes of copper from its Prominent Hill mine in the third quarter, 4 per cent higher than its second quarter result of 27,159 tonnes.
Oz says a series of blast misfires restricted ore mining and unplanned shut-downs impacted mill production during the quarter but says issues were resolved by the end of the period.
The company produced 21,091 ounces of gold during the quarter, up 15 per cent on the 18,351 ounces produced in the second quarter.
Oz says it forecast for full year gold production remains unchanged at between 60,000 to 70,000 ounces.
Oz Minerals reported a $2.5 billion loss in 2008.
