TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Base metals producer Taseko on Friday reported that it had lifted copper output at its Gibraltar mine, in British Columbia, by 49% to 34.5-million pounds and molybdenum output by 59% to 566 000 lb since first quarter 2013.

During the three months ended March 31, the company’s total sales were 40-million pounds of copper and 589 000 lb of molybdenum from its 75%-owned mine. The significant increase in copper sales was a result of strong output for the quarter, as well as a reduction in higher-than-normal inventory levels.

"Our strong copper sales volumes for the quarter are a result of our successful efforts to move concentrate from the mine site to Vancouver for vessel loading prior to quarter end. These results were achieved despite inconsistent rail service due to severe winter weather in the Canadian prairies, which impacted all bulk rail shippers throughout the country. Our goal is to maintain minimum inventory levels going forward,” Taseko president and CEO Russell Hallbauer said.

He added that as anticipated, copper grades for the quarter were below the Granite pit average grade, although slightly higher than predicted.

Recoveries for both copper and molybdenum improved significantly in the quarter. Copper recovery improved from the 82% realised in the fourth quarter 2013 to 88% in March.

“In the first quarter, our new molybdenum separation facility operated exceptionally well with recovery rates improving each month. In March, molybdenum recovery averaged 51%, exceeding design targets. Mill availability in the first quarter improved to 90%, roughly 4% below target,” he said.

While mill availability improved, a planned six-day shutdown for scheduled repairs to the primary crusher and conveyor system for concentrator No 1, impacted total throughput, which was seven-million tons for the quarter.

“Our Gibraltar operations team continues to improve the performance of both Gibraltar concentrators. The combined production facility is operating at a steady state and very close to targeted rates, although there is still work to be done on the metal recoveries and mill availability,” Hallbauer said.

Gibraltar is a joint venture owned by Taseko Mines Limited (75%) and Cariboo Copper Corp (25%).