Vancouver — The Kemess South open-pit mine in north-central British Columbia produced a record amount of gold and copper in 2002 — 282,300 oz. and 72.9 million lbs., respectively, for an increase of 5,200 oz. and 6.6 million lbs. over 2001.
A record amount of both metals was also produced in the fourth quarter,
The average millhead grades for the quarter were 0.73 gram gold per tonne and 0.23% copper, down from 0.79 gram and 0.255% in the year-earlier period. Millhead grades for the full year were 0.72 gram and 0.23% copper, compared with 0.85 gram and 0.25% in 2001.
Mill availability in the fourth quarter was 91%, exceeding the operating target, and gold and copper recoveries were a record 74% and 86%.
Northgate attributes the improvements to the commissioning of two column flotation cells in the second quarter.
Average mill throughput for 2002 was 47,420 tonnes per day, or 12% higher than in 2001. Throughput in the fourth quarter was 48,803 tonnes per day, compared with 46,920 tonnes a year earlier.
In 2003, Northgate will install an expert computer system in the mill to increase throughput and commission a new production drill in the open pit. The company anticipate an increase in gold production to 294,000 ounces.
In addition to the open pit, the Kemess South operation features a mill with a capacity of 48,000 tonnes per day.
At the end of 2001, Kemess South had a proven reserve of 132.5 million tonnes averaging 0.704 gram gold and 0.233% copper, plus an indicated resource of 56 million tonnes grading 0.39 gram gold and 0.161% copper. The estimates were based on gold and copper prices of US$325 per oz. and US95 per lb.
Since then, the gold grade in the reserve estimate has been increased by 10%.
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