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Operations Update

14 Sep 2015 07:00

RNS Number : 8977Y
Weatherly International PLC
14 September 2015
 

14 September 2015

Weatherly International plc

("Weatherly" or "the Company")

 Operations Update

 

Tschudi production guidance increased

and

Central Operations converted to Project Development

 

Weatherly International plc (AIM: WTI) announces that, whilst maintaining its focus on the ramp-up at its Tschudi mine where production is exceeding expectations, it will convert its Otjihase and Matchless mines ("Central Operations") to a project development status as the Company prepares them for future production expansion.

 

Summary

 

· Tschudi production guidance for the current quarter is upgraded by 15% from 1,000 to 1,150 tonnes of copper metal per month.

· Otjihase and Matchless will convert to a project development status in order to prepare the mines for future production of larger volumes of copper concentrate at lower unit costs, when market conditions improve.

· Production of copper concentrate at Central Operations is subsequently suspended during this low copper price environment.

 

Craig Thomas, CEO of Weatherly, commented:

 

"We maintain our focus on Tschudi and the ramp up has progressed well ahead of schedule. I am pleased to confirm our previous commitment that, before year end, Weatherly will be operating a new 17,000 tonnes of copper metal per annum open pit copper mine in the best mining country in Africa, producing some of the highest quality copper cathode in the world.

 

"Due to 2015 copper prices reaching the lowest levels in six years, copper production at Central Operations is no longer commercially viable. As a consequence, management has had to implement measures which, in the short term, reduce costs but, in the longer term, look to create a viable future."

 

Tschudi

 

In July the Company indicated production guidance for the current quarter of, on average, 1,000 tonnes per month (70% of design capacity) of copper cathode for the current September Quarter. The Company now advises that it expects production will exceed these levels by approximately 15% to reach 1,150 tonnes per month, on average, or approximately 80% of design capacity, for the current quarter.

 

Central Operations

 

As a consequence of the marked decline in world copper prices from January 2015, copper production levels at Central Operations in CY2015 have been insufficient to support the ongoing costs of operating these mines.

 

The installed processing infrastructure at Otjihase is currently capable of treating much greater quantities of copper ore than the two underground mines have been producing for the last five years.

 

The identified mineral resources at Otjihase and Matchless are considered by the Company to be sufficient to support viable plans for increased production volumes when copper prices improve and sufficient mine development work is completed.

 

As a result, the Company has decided to convert Central Operations to Project Development status.

 

Doing so will involve suspending mining of copper ore and production of copper concentrate, while developing the plan to prepare for a resumption of production at expanded volumes when copper prices improve. Key activities during the project development phase will include maintaining the mining and processing infrastructure in good condition ready for the resumption of operations, and then investing in upgrading the definition of mineral resources at Otjihase and Matchless mines plus creating new access tunnels into areas planned for future underground mining.

 

Furthermore, the Company continues to evaluate the opportunities in the region surrounding Otjihase, which is known to host several copper deposits as well as having exploration potential. The regional endowment may present additional potential for further expansion of production, and Weatherly is well positioned to take advantage of any future opportunities due to synergies provided by its Otjihase Concentrator to materially lower unit costs for production. The Company believes that an enlarged business unit based around the Otjihase and Matchless assets would have significantly enhanced capability for weathering any future downturns in the commodity price cycle.

 

For further information please contact:

 

Weatherly International plc +44 (0) 20 7936 9910

Craig Thomas, Chief Executive Officer

Kevin Ellis, CFO and Company Secretary

 

RFC Ambrian Limited +44 (0) 20 3440 6800

(Nominated Adviser & Broker)

Samantha Harrison / John van Eeghen

 

Finncap +44 (0) 20 7220 0500

(Joint Broker)

Christopher Raggett

 

Blytheweigh +44 (0) 20 7138 3204

(Financial PR) Tim Blythe / Camilla Horsfall / Megan Ray

 

About Weatherly

 

Weatherly is an AIM listed copper mining company operating in Namibia in southern Africa. Its principal assets are one open pit copper mine called Tschudi and two underground copper mines called Otjihase and Matchless.

 

These assets will enable Weatherly to achieve its medium term goal of establishing a mining business capable of sustaining approximately 25,000 tonnes per annum of copper production.

 

The Company also has a 25% stake in the AIM listed company, China Africa Resources plc (AIM: CAF), which is developing a lead/zinc mine called Berg Aukas, also in Namibia.

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
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