PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Dual listed gold miner OceanaGold has reported a nearly 20% increase in gold production during the December quarter, on the back of a solid performance from its New Zealand and US operations.

Gold production in the fourth quarter ended December reached 108 200 oz, up from the 107 500 oz delivered in the previous quarter, with the Haile mine contributing 46 400 oz, Didipio 400 oz, Waihi 15 800 oz and Macraes 45 500 oz.

Gold sales for the December quarter were also up from 94 300 oz to 107 300 oz, OceanaGold told shareholders.

“We are pleased to report a stronger quarter-on-quarter operating performance from Macraes and Haile in particular. Despite the weather challenges we experienced and worked through, Haile managed to achieve its annual production range by delivering a 26% increase in gold production from the third quarter, while continuing to demonstrate continuous productivity improvements and lower unit costs,” said OceanaGold president and CEO Mick Wilkes.

“In New Zealand, steady production at Waihi was complemented by a 20% quarter-on-quarter increase in production from Macraes. WE continued to advance development of the Martha underground, which we expect will deliver first production in the second quarter of 2021 with a significant mine life that we expect will take us into the next decade.

“The Waihi district study is on track for completion in the first half of this year, and we expect to outline additional details including timelines, production rates and costs from multiple source feeds including Martha Underground and WKP.”

Meanwhile, yearly gold production for the year ending December reached 470 601 oz, which was in line with the revised consolidated guidance of between 460 000 oz and 480 000 oz, while yearly copper production reached 10 255 t, also in line with the revised guidance of between 10 000 t and 11 000 t.

All-in sustaining costs for the year reached A$1 061/oz, compared with the revised guidance of between A$1 040/oz and A$1 090/oz.