Gold miner and mineral explorer PanAust Ltd
(ASX:PNA) says production of copper, gold and silver in concentrate for the September quarter was significantly higher than in the June quarter at its Phu Kham operations in Laos, reflecting improving copper recovery rates and higher throughput.
However output for the quarter was below plan due to difficult ore handling characteristics and damage to the main overland conveyor belt which together reduced planned mill throughput by nearly 15 per cent.
For the three months to September 30 PanAust produced copper in concentrate of 13,254 tonnes, gold in concentrate of 9,897 ounces, and silver in concentrate of 109,436 ounces.
PanAust says cooper production in the December quarter is expected to be higher than for the September quarter, reflecting the increased throughput, higher scheduled copper head grades and higher average copper recovery as less complex ore types are mined and processed.
The company says production guidance for 2009 has been revised to 53,000 tonnes of copper, 50,000 ounces of gold and 300,000 to 400,000 ounces of silver.
PanAust has posted net losses in the last four years.
