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Total material mined for the quarter was on target with ore mined 12% above target due to a change in mine sequencing.
Ore availability on stockpiles (ROM pad) remains in excess of four months of plant requirements.
In line with the wet season weather strategies, ore mining to ROM stockpiles will be maintained in the next quarter to reduce the risk of crusher feed delays due to inclement weather.
The reconciliation between the resource model, mined and plant figures remained good.
Similar to LHM, a detailed review of the mining plan was undertaken with the view to minimise mining requirements as part of overall cost savings initiatives.
Process Plant
Operating data
------------------------------------ Sept 2012 Qtr Dec 2012 Qtr----------------------------------------------------------------------------Operating time (hrs) 1,708 1,942----------------------------------------------------------------------------Mill feed(t) 323,409 356,764----------------------------------------------------------------------------Grade (ppm) U3O8 1,111 1,159----------------------------------------------------------------------------Leach extraction (%) 86.9 90.7----------------------------------------------------------------------------RIP efficiency (%) 93.6 93.9----------------------------------------------------------------------------Overall efficiency (%) 81.4 83.8----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating time was a quarterly record.
Leach recovery increased to just below 91% due to the ore feed blend, however acid consumption was maintained at budget with on site acid production largely meeting process requirements.
Resin management remains a primary focus. Improvements in RIP efficiency are expected as the RIP Refurbishment Project reaches completion in February. Resin deliveries have stabilised.
Overall recovery increased from the previous quarter as a result of the improved leach recovery and a slightly improved RIP efficiency.
Production of 261,929lb U3O8 was achieved in October and 262,299lb U3O8 in November, equating to 94.5% of nameplate, and 248,052lb U3O8 in December, equating to 90.2% of nameplate.
December production was down largely as a result of a partial mill liner change out and various other mechanical restrictions in other parts of the plant as well as temporary restrictions in RIP.
Production Optimisation
The key area of process optimisation for KM is in acid recovery. Detailed engineering for this project is almost complete and the plant is scheduled for commissioning in July this year. Detailed testing and pilot work have indicated that approximately 30tpd of acid will be recycled within the process, reducing overall acid demand by an equivalent amount and reducing the demand for neutralisation reagents. When complete, this will represent a significant reduction in operating costs for the project.
In addition to the acid recovery project, a further project to convert the operation from diesel fired power to grid power is now advanced. Current scheduling provides for the conversion to grid power in the first quarter of FY2014 and will result in a further significant reduction in operating costs.
