Production of 74.1 million pounds of Copper in Concentrates
posted on
Feb 04, 2009 05:48PM
Profitable Growth Producing Copper, Gold, Silver and Zinc in Canada and Mexico
Capstone Mining Corp. TSX: CS |
Capstone Reports Record Copper Production for 2008 and Increases Forecast in 2009
Production of 74.1 million pounds of Copper in Concentrates
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Feb. 4, 2009) - Capstone Mining Corp. (TSX:CS) today reported that its Minto and Cozamin mines had produced 74.1 million pounds of copper in concentrates in 2008. Capstone further reported achieving commercial production, effective January 1, 2009, of the most recent expansions at its Cozamin mine in Mexico and Minto Mine in Canada. With commissioning essentially complete at year-end for both the Cozamin and Minto mines, Capstone is now focused on fully realizing the benefits of the expanded production levels at its mines for the full year, and is forecasting production of 95 million to 105 million pounds of copper contained in concentrates in 2009 at a total cash cost(x) of approximately US$1.00 per pound.
"Capstone's two high grade copper mines both successfully completed their expansions by the end of 2008, increasing combined throughput by 140% since the Cozamin and Minto mines were originally commissioned in mid-2006 and mid-2007, respectively," said Darren Pylot, Vice Chairman & CEO of Capstone. "With the expansions complete, we are now focused on fully optimizing the output and production costs of both operations, with the objective of maximizing profitability. Cash flow from our operations is further enhanced by a robust forward sales program, where we have 104 million pounds of copper forward sold at an average price of US$2.52 per pound."
"In addition to its production activities, Capstone is completing major resource updates for both of its mines and its high grade Kutcho copper project; conducting the required work to support its Phase IV expansion at the Minto Mine based on increased resources and throughput; evaluating opportunities to redesign the Kutcho copper project as a robust, low cost operation; and continuing its highly successful exploration emphasis," said Stephen Quin, President & COO. "We aim to continue our organic growth, which has already seen two successful expansions at each of our mines in a short period of time, supported by strong resource increases, as well as look at external growth opportunities, backed by low cost production and a robust hedge book."
2008 Production Metrics
The table below sets out Capstone's production for the fourth quarter and its fiscal year ending December 31, 2008. Copper production for the year totalled 74.1 million pounds of copper in concentrates, with an estimated 71.3 million pounds payable, with significant by-products of gold, silver, lead and zinc. Operational data for the individual mines is summarized below.
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Fourth Quarter 2008 Full Year 2008 (3)
Cozamin Minto Cozamin Minto
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Production
(contained in concentrates)
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- Copper (000's lbs) 7,016 15,518 26,372 47,687
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- Gold (oz) (1) N/A 8,651 N/A 30,758
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- Silver (oz) 300,079 89,620 1,299,260 259,824
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- Lead (000's lbs) 1,591 N/A 6,442 N/A
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- Zinc (000's lbs) 2,782 N/A 9,710 N/A
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Sales
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- Copper sales (000's lbs) 6,635 6,328 26,054 37,737
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- Gold sales (oz's) N/A 2,990 N/A 23,012
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- Silver sales (oz's) 289,520 24,609 1,184,950 157,366
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- Lead sales (000's lbs) 1,373 N/A 5,515 N/A
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- Zinc sales (000's lbs) 1,977 N/A 7,499 N/A
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Mining
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- Waste (tonnes) N/A 1,304,363 N/A 8,370,800
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- Ore (tonnes) 224,824 679,001 825,909 1,158,520
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- Total material mined (tonnes) 224,824 1,983,364 825,909 9,529,320
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Milling
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- Tonnes processed 222,326 227,550 833,176 809,426
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- Tonnes processed per calendar day 2,417 2,473 2,283 2,218
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- Copper grade (%) 1.58 3.33 1.63 2.91
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- Gold grade (g/t) (2) N/A 1.64 N/A 1.14
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- Silver grade (g/t) 60.0 14.6 65.3 11.8
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- Lead grade (%) 0.49 N/A 0.55 N/A
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- Zinc grade (%) 1.04 N/A 1.31 N/A
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Recoveries
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- Copper (%) 90.4 92.9 88.3 91.9
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- Gold (%) (1) N/A 72.0 N/A 77.9
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- Silver (%) 70.0 83.8 74.2 84.6
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- Lead (%) 66.7 N/A 63.7 N/A
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- Zinc (%) 54.7 N/A 40.3 N/A
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Copper Concentrate
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- Dry tonnes produced 12,906 16,739 53,293 53,148
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- Copper grade (%) 24.7 42.1 22.4 40.7
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- Gold grade (g/t) (1) N/A 16.0 N/A 16.5
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- Silver grade (g/t) 537 167 572 152
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Lead Concentrate
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- Dry tonnes produced 1,157 N/A 4,705 N/A
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- Lead grade (%) 62.4 N/A 62.1 N/A
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- Silver grade (g/t) 1,898 N/A 1,801 N/A
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Zinc Concentrate
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- Dry tonnes produced 2,695 N/A 10,610 N/A
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- Zinc grade (%) 46.8 N/A 41.5 N/A
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- Silver grade (g/t) N/A N/A N/A N/A
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(1) Gold is not assayed on site at Minto, resulting in a significant lag in
receiving this data.
(2) Gold grades for ore mined at Minto are estimated from the reserve block
model, whereas copper and silver grades are based on blasthole assays.
(3) 2008 totals may not match the totals from individual quarters due to
rounding and post-quarter adjustments.
2009 Production Forecast(y)
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Cozamin Minto Total
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Tonnes Milled (millions) 1.0 1.0 2.0
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Copper Grade (%) 2.0% 3.1%
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Copper Recovery (%) 91% 93%
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Contained Copper (millions lbs) 35 to 40 60 to 65 95 to 105
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Forecast Total Cash Costs(x) US$1.00 US$1.00 US$1.00
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(y) All numbers are approximates.