St Barbara reports 43% gold production decline in Nova Scotia in September quarter
(Kitco News) - Australian gold miningcompany St Barbara announced today that in September quarter 2021, thecompany's gold production was 67,000 ounces, 8% lower than a year ago.
The company said that itsAtlantic gold operations, located in Nova Scotia, Canada, produced 15,243ounces, representing a 43% quarter-on-quarter decrease (Q4 June FY21: 26,606ounces).
The company explained that lower-than-expectedproduction at its Atlantic operations for the quarter was due to ore sourced primarilyfrom stockpiles, as mining operations focused on waste movement andre-establishing work areas in the pit.
"This is expected to becomplete by mid-Q2 Dec FY22 enabling an increase in higher grade ore in thesecond half of the FY22," St Barbara said in a statement.
Production at the company'sLeonora operations in Western Australia for Q1 Sep FY22 was 51,757 ounces, up 15%compared to the prior quarter (Q4 Jun FY21: 45,157 ounces).
St Barbara added that themill at its Simberi operations in Papua New Guinea remained shut down duringthe quarter as work continued on replacing the deep-sea tailings placement pipeline.
The temporary break inoperations is being used to complete opportune maintenance, implement multipleprocessing plant upgrades and undertake work required to transition to thesulphide expansion project, the company noted.
By Vladimir BasovFor Kitco News
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