Zimplats negatively impacted, Impala Canada concentrate 5% lower
Quarter ended 31 March 2025 – Mined and milled volumes continued to be negatively impacted by the availability and performance of the mechanised fleet. A mining campaign to supplement underground volumes with open-cast material was initiated in the period and will bolster medium-term volumes as fleet performance is restored to planned levels. Tonnes milled declined by 17% to 1.67 million tonnes, and 6E grade improved by 1% to 3.36g/t.
6E concentrate volumes were 20% lower at 135 000 ounces and were adversely impacted by final assay adjustments from the previous quarter. Optimisation of the 38MW furnace continued during the quarter, with significant project activity on the flash dryers and converters. Production in matte declined by 16% to 140 000 6E ounces.
Nine months ended 31 March 2025
Milled throughput decreased 7% to 5.49 million tonnes. Improved grade and concentrator recoveries mitigated the impact on concentrate production, which declined by 6% to 470 000 6E ounces. The build-up of concentrate inventories ahead of furnace commissioning was compounded by the ‘first fill’ and matte production declined by 15% to 419 000 6E ounces. Circa 16 000 6E ounces of inventory build-up is expected to be released in Q4 FY025.
Impala Canada
Impala Canada continued to deliver in line with the mine’s revised production baseline. Milled throughput decreased by 18% to 709 000 tonnes, while milled head grade of 3.14g/t was 12% higher than the prior comparable period, reflecting ore source and cost optimisation. 6E production in concentrate was 5% lower at 60 000 ounces.
Nine months ended 31 March 2025
Milled throughput declined by 16% to 2.25 million tonnes. Milled head grade was stable at 2.93g/t, mitigating the reduced production as a result of the mine’s revised operating parameters. 6E concentrate production was 15% lower at 175 000 ounces.
OUTLOOK AND GUIDANCE
Despite the challenging operating environment during the period under review, Implats remains on track to deliver within the guided Group parameters for FY2025.
