PanAust Limited
(ASX:PNA) has released the results of plant scale test work for its flagship Phu Kham copper and gold mine in Laos.
Tests returned an average increase in copper recovery of 7.5 per cent with a range from 5-11 per cent. Gold recovery was more significant, increasing at 15.8 per cent with a range from 11-20 per cent.
PanAust says the increased recovery project is expected to result in increases in annual copper and gold production of between 5,000 tonnes and 7,5000 ounces, respectively.
The increased recovery project is designed to increase copper and gold recovery rates by an average of six percentage points and will be implemented in the second half of next year.
Pan Aust booked a net profit of $144.3 million in the 2011 financial year.
