Published: 21 January 2014

Mwana Africa's cash cow, Freda Rebecca, registered a decline in output after a total of 13 072 ounces were produced during the quarter, representing a decrease of 25 percent over the previous quarter.

Mwana said the drop in production at Freda Rebecca is attributable to a mill being unavailable temporarily due to engineering down time and shut-downs.

The shutdowns were undertaken to make modifications which the company anticipates will lead to an improvement in overall production throughput.

Production was also impacted by a drop in head grade due to the temporary cessation of mining at Freda Rebecca's open pit operations.

Mwana said its Bindura-based gold mining subsidiary has noted improved production following the modifications to the mill and does not anticipate that the issues with head grade will continue into the fourth quarter.

Despite the lower head grade, the plant recoveries benefited from the availability of all three leach tanks resulting in improved leaching efficiencies with an increase to 84,9 percent from 83,6 percent in the last quarter.

All in sustaining costs increased by 22,6 percent to $1 291/oz mainly as a result of lower gold production in the quarter while the pilot plant for tailings retreatment is complete and is set  to be commissioned.
- herald

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