16th Apr 2013 07:00
Trans-Siberian Gold plc
Asacha mining and production update
LONDON: 16 April 2013 - Trans-Siberian Gold plc ("TSG" or the "Company") (TSG.L) reports that mine development activities at Asacha in the first quarter of 2013 comprised approximately 396 metres, while ore extraction (including ore from stoping and mine development) amounted to 45,352 metric tonnes, the highest quarterly total to date. As reported on 23 January 2013 mining activity is now focused on increasing the volume and quality of stoping ore, since the 4,100 metres of mine development in 2012 included the preparation of stoping areas to be mined in 2013.
Mining and production data at Asacha in the first quarter of 2013 is shown in the following table.
January 2013 | February 2013 | March 2013 | Total Q1-2013 | Total Q1-2012 | |
Mine development (m)
| 157 | 164 | 75 | 396 | 1,023 |
Ore extracted (mt)
| 14,865 | 14,390 | 16,097 | 45,352 | 33,525 |
Ore processed (mt)
| 11,438 | 12,032 | 12,115 | 35,585 | 28,877 |
Average gold grade (g/t) | 6.72 | 6.16 | 6.22 | 6.36 | 7.03 |
Average silver grade (g/t) | 9.62 | 10.29 | 9.47 | 9.80 | 16.48 |
Gold recovery rate (%)
| 94.30 | 94.52 | 94.74 | 94.52 | 95.14 |
Silver recovery rate (%)
| 81.89 | 76.03 | 78.93 | 78.81 | 48.19 |
Gold in dore (oz)
| 2,253 | 2,300 | 2,273 | 6,826 | 6,689 |
Silver in dore (oz)
| 2,827 | 3,030 | 2,934 | 8,791 | 7,320 |
Gold refined (oz)
| 1,960 | 1,888 | 2,985 | 6,833 | 6,281 |
Silver refined (oz)
| 2,631 | 2,379 | 3,855 | 8,865 | 6,975 |
During the first three months of 2013 the underground mine continued to implement the changes previously reported, including changes in stoping methods, additional mobile machinery and qualified personnel and improved control of ore blasting and haulage, intended to reduce the volume of ore stored underground. The positive impact of these changes was partially offset by rockfalls in February and March, due in part to an offshore earthquake on 1 March, which affected one of the stoping areas with richer ore. In spite of some problems with grinding equipment which interrupted production for a short period, the plant's throughput and performance were close to the planned figures.
Although TSG expects that the measures already taken and further changes now being considered, such as the use of low density explosives, will reduce ore dilution, the more fractured rock in the upper part of the orebody makes it likely that this problem will take time to resolve. Therefore the Company does not expect an immediate improvement in the average grade of ore extracted.
TSG intends to report Asacha's second quarter 2013 production in July 2013.
Ends
Contacts
TSG |
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Simon Olsen | + 44 (0) 1480 811871 + 44 (0) 7770 484965 |
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Cantor Fitzgerald Europe | +44 (0) 207 894 7000 |
David Foreman / Stewart Dickson (Corporate Finance) |
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Jeremy Stephenson (Corporate Broking) |
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