UK-headquartered Central Asia Metals’ copper, lead and zinc output was lower in Q1 FY2021 compared to the prior year with the drop in copper production being more severe than others metals, according to a company release on April 13.
Central Asia Metals’ copper production in Q1 dropped to 2,880mt, down 10pc from the prior year. Zinc production was reported at 5,742mt, down 6pc from Q1 FY2020. Around 7,016mt of lead was produced in Q1, down 8pc from the prior year.
| CAML Production (mt) | Q1 2021 | Q1 2020 | Change |
| Copper | 2,880 | 3,201 | -10% |
| Zinc | 5,742 | 6,127 | -6% |
| Lead | 7,016 | 7,607 | -8% |
The company’s Kounrad operations which produces copper accounted for 2,880mt of copper and sold 2,875mt in the same quarter.
In Q1, the company’s Sasa production suffered unplanned mill maintenance which resulted in a loss of production for four days. Sasa operations produce zinc concentrate and lead concentrate. In Q1 2021, 11,521mt of concentrate containing 49.8pc zinc and 9,730mt of concentrates containing 72.1pc lead were produced. Payable production at Sasa was 4,821mt of zinc and 6,665mt of lead in Q1.
Full year guidance for 2021 was kept unchanged at copper 12,500 – 13,500. Zinc in concentrates 23,000 – 25,000mt and lead in concentrates 30,000 – 32,000mt.