Ariana Resources, the exploration and development company with gold mining operations in Turkey, is pleased to announce its preliminary production results for the quarter ended 30 June 2019 for the Kiziltepe Mine.
Kiziltepe is part of the Red Rabbit Joint Venture (“JV”) with Proccea Construction Co. and is 50% owned by Ariana through its shareholding in Zenit Madencilik San. ve Tic. A.S. (“Zenit”).
Second Quarter Preliminary Production Results:
Gold production for the quarter was 6,438 ounces (Q1 2019: 7,296 ounces), exceeding average annualised quarterly guidance by 3%.
Total ore processed for the quarter was 48,132 tonnes (Q1 2019: 46,825 tonnes) at an average head grade to the plant of 4.16 g/t gold.
Quarterly open pit ore mined was c. 43,367 tonnes, at an average mined grade of 4.59 g/t gold, and total material movement for the quarter was 943,034 tonnes.
Average metallurgical plant recovery of gold for the quarter remains high at 95.2%.
* All figures are given gross with respect to the JV.
Dr. Kerim Sener, Managing Director, commented:
“We are very pleased to report strong second quarter 2019 operational performance at Kiziltepe, including one of the highest material movement rates in the mine’s history. Gold production during the quarter was again above target, although operations continued to be constrained by the pushback underway on the southern wall of the pit. Careful stockpile management through the period enabled mill throughput to be maintained according to guidance. While a pattern of unusually wet weather has continued even into July, progress on pit development has been continuing at pace and material movements have increased further. These higher mining rates are being accommodated by an increase in fleet capacity by our mining contractor and this will be maintained as we progress with pre-stripping of the Arzu North and Derya pits later this summer.”