OZ Minerals Limited (ASX:OZL) has reported a dip in first quarter copper output but a rise in gold production.
The miner says productivity improvement measures at its Prominent Hill mine successfully drove strong production in the first three months of this year.
March quarter copper output came in at 18,182 tonnes, down from 20,474 tonnes the year before but ahead of expectations for 15,400 tonnes.
March quarter gold output came in at 33,792 ounces, up from 31,790 ounces the year before.
Over the same period the company recorded cash costs of $US1.22 per pound, down from $US1.85 per pound the year before.
OZ Minerals says the lower cash costs are due to improved productivity, lower expenditure and reduced waste mining volumes.
OZ Minerals booked a full year net loss of $294 million in the 2013 calendar year.
