Ariana Resources PLC (LON:AAU) shifted near record amounts of earth at its Kiziltepe mine in Turkey in its latest quarter in spite of unusually wet weather.
Gold production for the three months to June was 6,438oz compared to 7,296oz in the first quarter as grades dipped though total ore processed rose.
Output was constrained by the pushback underway on the southern wall of the pit but careful use of stockpiles enabled throughput to be maintained said Kerim Sener, managing director.
Kiziltepe is part of the 50/50 Red Rabbit joint venture with Turkish firm Proccea Construction.
Total material movement for the quarter was 943,034 tonnes, an amount Sener says was close to the highest so far in the mine's history.
“While a pattern of unusually wet weather has continued even into July, progress on pit development has been continuing at pace and material movements have increased further.”