Vantage keeps production up despite grade fall

摘要

Vantage Goldfields Ltd defied expec-V tations of a production shortfall by posting increased gold production from its South African operations in the June quarter.The company produced 6,312oz for the quarter from its Lily and Taylors mines in the Barberton goldfield, Mpumalanga, despite the period taking in scheduled mining of lower-grade ore blocks in both mines.At Lily, underground development rates were on the increase, aiding the company in its aim of opening up new faces to ensure mining flexibility. Some 79,613t was mined during the quarter after averaging around 55,000t during the previous three quarters. Head-grade was down to 2.25 g/t, the lowest average grade since the September 2011 quarter but the mine still managed to produce 4,967oz, up from 4,674oz in the March quarter.