Concentrate shipments for November totalled a record of 9,900 wet metric tonnes, while production throughput hit a record high monthly rate of 240,000 tonnes, representing approximately 96 per cent of average monthly nameplate capacity.

“November’s achievement shows what can be achieved when we work together as a team to deliver excellent results,” CuDeco’s CEO Gongyang Jiang said.

“We believe this level of production can continue thanks to the appointment of our new site management and reliability improvements to the process plant.”

Recent improvements include an upgraded crusher facility, now operating with two cone crushers in series, which is expected to consistently operate at or beyond nameplate capacity.

A native copper circuit bypass has also been installed, enabling the processing plant to process the primary ore without the need to operate the scrubber, screening, jig and gravity circuits, which will be reserved and maintained to process the native copper ore separately.

“These improvements will aid in efficiencies by lowering operating costs and boosting productivity at Rocklands. We are committed to maximising the potential of our mine, while ensuring the health and safety of our approximately 330 strong workforce,” Mr Jiang said.

The Company sincerely regrets the recent enforced shutdown to the processing plant and is resolved to working closely with the Department of Natural Resources and Mines. While December’s production figures will be impacted, CuDeco anticipates improved results in 2018 on the back of the latest improvements.