Zimplats and Impala Canada delivered increases in ore milled
Zimplats delivered a 10% increase in milled throughput to 1.88 million tonnes. Volumes were negatively impacted by regional power outages suffered in March, but benefitted from increased installed milling capacity following commissioning of the third concentrator in late H1 FY2023. Grade declined by 4%, impacted by dilution across geological features and higher throughput of low-grade ore stockpile. While concentrate volumes increased, production in matte of 148 000 6E ounces was impacted by power outages and maintenance at the Zimplats furnace.
Nine months ended 31 March 2023
Mill throughput increased by 9% to 5.56 million tonnes, offsetting slightly lower grade and recoveries. Production in matte increased by 4% to 449 000 6E ounces.
Impala Canada
Impala Canada continued to benefit from improved operational continuity with improved plant stability following the commissioning of the mill decoupling project in late H1 FY2023, and was bolstered by increased throughput of higher-grade underground ore. Milled throughput increased by 1% to 894 000 tonnes. Milled head grade increased by 9% to 3.06g/t and 6E metal in concentrate of 71 000 ounces was 15% higher than that achieved in the prior comparable period.
Nine months ended 31 March 2023
Impala Canada delivered a 3% increase in milled throughput to 2.85 million tonnes, which, together with an 8% increase in milled head grade of 2.87g/t, resulted in a 15% increase in nine month 6E concentrate production to 213 000 ounces.
