TSX- and Aim-listed copper and gold producer Rambler Metals and Mining’s copper feed grade during the half-year ended June 30 averaged 1.1% copper and 0.53 g/t gold.

This compared with 1.28% copper feed grade and 0.5 g/t gold in the first half of 2017.

Total mill throughput for the six months was 177 605 dry metric tonnes, which is a 9% increase on the 162 333 dry metric tonnes throughput achieved in the first half of 2017.

A quarterly record volume of 94 589 dry metric tonnes were processed during the second quarter.

Average recoveries to concentrate improved relative to the previous year period at 96.3% for copper and 68.3% for gold, compared with 95.3% for copper and 60% for gold in the first half of 2017.

Concentrate grade produced in the first half of 2018 was likewise improved relative to the prior year period, with 28.2% for copper and 9.7 g/t gold, compared with 27.2% for copper and 6.7 g/t gold in the first half of 2017.

A total of 1 801 t of copper were recovered to concentrate in the first half of the 2018, slightly down from the 1 906 t produced in the 2017 first half. The first half 2018 production of gold exceeded the previous year production by 40% at 1 861 oz.

“Mine production remained the bottleneck for Rambler in the first half of 2018, with mill throughput, recoveries and concentrate grades all improving from the previous year. The single greatest limitation on plant use, and therefore concentrate production, was the lack of feed at target grade from the mine,” said Rambler president and CEO Normal Williams.

He added that during the first half of 2018, the mine completed all remaining capital projects required to enable it to support its Phase II 1.2-million tonnes a day targeted ore processing rate.

Rambler has 100% ownership of the Ming copper/gold mine, in Canada.

Upon sustaining its Phase II production target, Rambler will continue advancing Phase III engineering studies with a view to further increase production to 2-million tonnes a day at the Ming mine.

Rambler also owns the former producing Little Deer/Whales Back copper mines and has strategic investment in the former producing Hammerdown gold mine.