RE: SP Angel – Morning View9 Aug 2019 22:36
Rambler Metals & Mining* (RMM LN)
Follow
1.3p, mkt cap £16.9m – A new quarterly throughput record in Q2 2019
Rambler Metals reports that its Nugget Pond mill achieved a record quarterly throughput of ore from its Ming copper/gold mine in Newfoundland during the quarter ending 30th June 2019.
In total, 112,679 tonnes of ore were processed at an average grade of 1.40% copper and 0.60g/t gold exceeding the 98,411 tonnes of ore processed at an average grade of 1.33% copper and 0.58g/t gold during the previous quarter ending 31st March 2019 - which was itself a record.
Head grades are edging higher and CEO, Andre Booyzen, commented that “Given the productivity improvements in the mine, which have provided access to better grade material in both the Lower Footwall Zone and the Ming Massive Sulfide deposits, we are now turning our attention to increasing the overall feed grade delivered to the mill”.
We observe that, in the past, the company has stated that throughput of 1,250tpd was an objective ahead of its longer term plans to expand to 2,000tpd throughput and reporting that “Daily production during the quarter averaged 1,309 dry tonnes per day with a monthly peak of 1,339 dry tonnes per day in June. On July 22, the mill achieved a new one-day record throughput of 1,493 dry tonnes per day” establishes a solid platform for this expansion.
The increased mill throughput resulted in the production of 5,425 tonnes of copper gold concentrates which is a 13% increase on the previous quarter and the highest level of concentrate output since at least early 2016.
Year to date throughput of 211,090 tonnes of ore at an average grade of 1.36% copper and 0.59g/t gold keeps Rambler Metals on track to achieve its previously published 2019 production guidance of milling between 400-450,000t of ore at an average grade of 1.3-1.5% copper. Although the gold grade is running marginally below the guidance range of 0.7-0.9g/t we estimate that precious metals represent only around 15% of overall revenue.
The company also discloses that work on the new tailings disposal facility, capable of sustaining processing rates “in excess of 1,400 dry tonnes per day … will be in place and operational by August 31”. The work was “completed ahead of schedule”.
Mr. Booyzen summarised saying that “This last quarter’s mine and mill performance has demonstrated effectiveness of the focus on continuous improvements that were started in late 2018 and still continue” and when on to undertake that “We will keep improving mining production and the average grade of ore produced so that saleable copper production continues to increase”.
Conclusion: The company has maintained and exceeded its 1250 tpd target for throughput during Q2 and H1 2019 and remains on track to meet its published production guidance for the full year. The emphasis on accessing higher grades should help maintain the rising trend of concentrate production which continued on a rising trajectory during the qu