July 10 (SeeNews) - Canada's Dundee Precious Metals (DPM) said that during the first half of 2020 it achieved strong gold production from both of its mines in Bulgaria - in Chelopech and Ada Tepe, based on preliminary data.
Gold concentrate output in the Ada Tepe mine increased in the first six months of the year to 62,600 ounces, exceeding planned levels as a result of strong gold grades and higher volumes of ore treated DPM said in a report earlier this week.
The Ada Tepe mine achieved its second consecutive quarter of record production, after gold production and treatment in the mine reached 30,300 ounces during the first quarter, the Canadian company said.
A total of 1.6 million tonnes of ore were processed at the Chelopech and Ada Tepe mines in the January-June period of 2020, out of which 1.1 million tonnes were processed at the Ada Tepe mine alone, the statement showed.
As regards the Chelopech mine, in western Bulgaria, it continued its consistent track record in the second quarter, producing approximately 49,100 ounces of gold and 9.4 million pounds of copper, DPM also said.
"Gold production, which increased compared with the first quarter, was higher than expected due to optimization of the mining sequence which resulted in higher gold grades to the mill and higher gold recoveries in pyrite concentrate. Copper production was as expected," DPM added.
The Chelopech mine contributed 91,700 ounces and 18.8 million pounds of copper produced during the first half of this year, DPM's statement showed.
"Overall, as a result of strong management focus and outstanding efforts at all sites to proactively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, DPM continues to deliver solid operating results and remains on track to meet previously issued 2020 guidance at each of its operations," the company noted.
DPM's 2020 guidance range envisages a gold output of 257,000-299,000 ounces and a copper production of 35-40 million pounds.
To date, DPM has not experienced any material disruptions to its operations as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and it continues to proactively manage inbound and outbound supply chains, the company also said.
In 2019, DPM achieved record-high gold concentrate output of 230,600 ounces from its two Bulgarian mines - Chelopech and Ada Tepe, as the Ada Tepe mine reached full operating capacity in September 2019.