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LANGER HEINRICH MINE, Namibia (100%)
Production by quarter
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mar 2012 Qtr Jun 2012 Qtr Sep 2012 Qtr Dec 2012 Qtr --------------------------------------------------------LHMU3O8 Production (lb) 1,052,364 1,322,480 1,290,462 1,418,583----------------------------------------------------------------------------
During the quarter, the plant delivered further improved performance to new record production levels - not only the overall production but also the overall recovery levels. Overall plant throughput also further improved to 914,847t crushed - a 2% increase from the previous quarter.
Production totalled 1,418,583lb U3O8, which was 9.9% higher than the previous quarter. The operation is performing consistently with continuous improvements taking place. During the quarter, the Bankers' Completion Tests for Stage 3 were successfully completed.
Mining
The overall mined quantities decreased over the quarter as one of the primary excavators were taken out of operation as part of the cost rationalisation programme. The mining schedule was revised in order to either reduce or defer mining costs. Ore mining and availability were not affected as excavators were relocated as required.
------------------------------------ Sep 2012 Qtr Dec 2012 Qtr----------------------------------------------------------------------------Ore mined (t) 1,556,040 1,191,756----------------------------------------------------------------------------Grade (ppm) 652 798----------------------------------------------------------------------------Additional low grade ore mined (t) 1,341,345 757,649----------------------------------------------------------------------------Grade (ppm) 321 320----------------------------------------------------------------------------Waste/ore ratio 1.72 2.54----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mining continued in three pits with sufficient ore exposed to fulfil plant feed requirements. The revised mining schedule also included the mining of suitable waste for tailings storage facility (TSF) construction.
ROM ore stocks have been maintained at around four weeks' supply while being supplemented by medium and lower grade ores in line with the crusher blend requirements.
Process Plant
The increased plant throughput continued in the December quarter as reflected below:
------------------------------------ Sep 2012 Qtr Dec 2012 Qtr----------------------------------------------------------------------------Ore milled (t) 896,355 914,847----------------------------------------------------------------------------Grade (ppm) 754 805----------------------------------------------------------------------------Scrub efficiency (%) 92.0 92.7----------------------------------------------------------------------------Leach extraction (%) 93.4 95.1----------------------------------------------------------------------------Wash efficiency (%) 86.9 86.7----------------------------------------------------------------------------Overall recovery (%) 86.8 87.4----------------------------------------------------------------------------
