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Sepon copper hits new record in June
Copper cathode production at the Sepon gold and copper mine reached a record 7,035 tonnes in June.
The Minerals and Metals Group (MMG) released its second quarterly production report this week, which covers the three months ending June 30, which states that total copper cathode production is expected to be between 75,000-80,000 tonnes in 2011.
Staff of the Minerals and Metals Group checks copper products.
Sepon produced approximately 37,000 tonnes of copper in the first six months of 2011.
Increased copper production has been made possible as a result of a project to expand processing facilities at the mine, which was completed earlier this year at a cost of US$60.4 million.
Eventually, copper production will be almost 25 percent higher as a result of the expansion.
Based on the report, Sepon produced 40,000 ounces of gold from January to June 2011. Gold production for 2011 is forecast at 70,000–75,000 ounces.
According to the Asian Development Bank's Asia Economic Monitor report issued in July, the Lao economy is forecast to grow by 7.7 percent in 2011, driven by investment in mining, hydropower and by strong gold and copper prices. The predicted growth rate is the highest among Asean nations.
vientiane times
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