The Renison joint venture operation between Metals X and Yunnan Tin Group and other Chinese investors reported record ore throughput but reduced contained tin production in the September quarter. The Renison mine produced nearly 131,000 tonnes of ore in the three months and almost 54,000 tonnes in September, the highest monthly production since the mine was acquired by Metals X. In a statement the company noted that “the current production level is now approaching the long term average production target of approximately 57,000 tonnes per month which will ensure the process plant can operate at full capacity.”
Tin-in-concentrate production in the quarter was 1,251 tonnes, down by 6% compared to the previous quarter and 22% lower than in the corresponding period of 2010. The company pointed to lower average ore grades (1.63% Sn in the current period), contractor underperformance and equipment availability problems in the mine and various processing issues in the concentrator as contributory factors. However on-going mine rehabilitation, the purchase of new trucks and loaders and access to higher grade sections of the mine from the current quarter through 2012 should boost tin production in the near future.
