Central Asia Metals (CAML) is seeking to bolster acquisitions in 2019 and beyond, with copper as a primary focus, company executives told Fastmarkets, pledging a continuation of its low-cost operating model.
The AIM-listed company's primary copper producing facility, Kounrad, located in central Kazakhstan, operates as a solvent extraction-electrowinning (SX-EW) recovery plant and was fully acquired by the company in 2014. "Copper is our primary focus," CAML chief executive officer Nigel Robinson told Fastmarkets. "We want to continue to grow in that space, likewise with zinc and lead. These are solid metals to be involved in in terms of supply and demand fundamentals." In its 2018 full year results, Kounrad produced 14,049 tonnes of copper cathode at a C1 cash cost of $0.54 per lb, resulting in 2018 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) for CAML of...