Cambior output rises by 29%

Gold production increased by 29%, to 233,321 oz., during the first half of 1993 compared with the same period last year, Cambior (TSE) reports.

The increase is attributed to start-up of production in January at the Omai mine in Guyana; Cambior is the operator and major shareholder of the South American mine.

Throughput at the Omai mill in the second quarter averaged 12,650 tons per day (the nominal mill capacity is 13,200 tons per day); the average recovery rate during the quarter was 90.6% compared with a targeted rate of 93%. The company expects to meet or surpass production targets during the second half of the year when it finishes modifying its mill. This work will result in the commissioning of the in-circuit secondary crusher and the gravimetric circuit, as well as an increase in the capacity of the carbon-in-pulp circuit. The milled grade of 0.051 oz. gold per ton at Omai has exceeded the average grade (0.048 oz.) of the Fennell pit reserves, the company says, because of selective extraction of higher-grade ore. Cambior says it expects the milled grade to reach 0.058 oz. during the second half of the year.