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Oliver Kazunga, Senior Business Reporter
ASA Resource Group says gold sales at one of its Zimbabwe operation, Freda Rebecca Mine decreased by 24 percent to 14,114 ounces in the quarter March 31, 2016 compared to the previous period.

Formerly, Mwana Africa, the Pan-African and multi-commodity resource company indicated in its latest quarterly report that gold sales at Freda Rebecca for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 stood at 18,506oz.

“Gold sales decreased from 18,506oz to 14,114oz in the first quarter due to the seasonal effect, but the sales volume in quarter under review is still five percent higher than the volume in previous quarter,” said ASA in a report.

It said the gold recovery rate for the first quarter remains unchanged at 85 percent resulting from improvement in technology such as increase in leaching efficiencies and reduction in loss of fine carbon to tailings.

The report further states that the commissioning of new stopes for mining from the peripheries of the ore body has temporarily impacted on gold production and the feed grade.

“Tonnes mined for the quarter under review marginally declined by three percent to 260,413 from 267,448 tonnes in the quarter under review due to below plan availability of loading equipment exasperated by damage to a loading unit as a result of an ore rush in mid-February …

“New loading equipment has been purchased to replace de-commissioned loading unit early in March,” said the group.

On production at Bindura Nickel Mine, the group said nickel output in concentrate rose by 42 percent in to 2,246 tonnes during the period under review compared to the previous quarter levels of 1,584t.

“Production increased due to improved equipment availabilities and reduced breakdowns on hoist, skip, compressors and locomotives.

“More massives (44,715 tonnes) were mined in the quarter under review compared to the previous levels of 22,789 tonnes while disseminated ore dropped by 18 percent with the thrust being to produce more nickel.

“Milled tonnage was augmented by upgraded waste rock material from waste dump,” said the group.