Steadily improving milling rates enabled ASX-listed Tietto Minerals to reach record quarterly production of 37 111 oz of gold from its Abujar mine, in Côte d'Ivoire, for the quarter ended March 31.
MD and CEO Matt Wilcox says production is expected to improve further in the second quarter as a result of measures being implemented to reduce mining dilution and increase mill head-grade with a specific focus on blasting techniques.
"We commenced work on the crushing circuit upgrade, which is anticipated to enable Tietto to increase quarterly mill throughput from a total of 1.2-million tonnes to approximately 1.4-million tonnes per quarter towards the end of 2024," he adds.
Tietto sold 39 175 oz of gold at an average price of $2 054/oz in the March quarter.
"Abujar is now generating very strong cash flow, and benefiting highly from the record gold prices, as we achieve full production at Abujar following substantial and continuing improvements across mining, milling and production.
"The team is now focussing on operating-cost reductions through operating efficiencies as the team gains more experience with Abujar," Wilcox states.