Independence Group NL (ASX:IGO) has achieved an increase in metal production rate during the June 2018 quarter at Nova, driven by better than nameplate mining and processing rates and higher overall grade.
The company is focused on its Western Australian projects – the 100% owned, world-class Nova nickel-copper-cobalt operation and a 30% interest in the Tropicana Gold Mine joint venture with AngloGold Ashanti (ASX:AGG).
Production at Tropicana achieves full year guidance range
Nova nickel production for the June 2018 quarter was up 23% quarter on quarter with production for the full year at 3% below the low end of IGO’s guidance.
A SAG mill liner issue which impacted processing plant availability and productivity in the second half of June 2018 resulted in an 800 tonnes shortfall in nickel production relative to plan.
Tropicana gold production for the financial year 2018 was better than the midpoint of IGO’s guidance.
IGO managing director and chief executive officer Peter Bradford said: “We achieved a big step up in metal production rate at Nova during the June 2018 quarter driven by better than nameplate mining and processing rates and higher overall grade, which absorbed downtime and lower productivity in the second half of June due to the SAG mill liner issues.
“Nova is a world class asset producing nickel, copper and cobalt, all of which are aligned to the energy storage thematic, and Nova is now fully ramped up in every respect.”
Bradford added: “Both Nova and Tropicana are poised for a strong 2019 financial year, with continuing business excellence projects at both operations poised to deliver improved productivity and value.
“In parallel, we continue to make good progress with the prefeasibility studies for the downstream processing of Nova concentrates to produce nickel and cobalt sulphates and the Boston Shaker underground at Tropicana, with both studies due for completion by the 2018 calendar year end.”