Peru-focused Cia. de Minas Buenaventura SAA posted a yearly decrease in gold and silver output in the third quarter, according to preliminary figures released Oct. 9.
The company produced 236,694 ounces of gold in the September quarter, falling from 290,159 ounces in the same period of 2018. Silver output dropped to about 5.0 million ounces from about 6.8 Moz.
Buenaventura increased the full-year gold production guidance at La Zanja to between 30,000 and 35,000 ounces, from between 25,000 and 35,000 ounces, due to higher extraction rates.
In the fourth quarter, silver production is expected to increase at Uchucchacua, where the annual guidance had been slashed, thanks to access to areas with high silver grades.
Lead production dropped to 10,879 tonnes, from 13,711 tonnes a year ago, zinc output decreased to 16,547 tonnes from 19,248 tonnes, and copper output rose to 12,707 tonnes from 12,483 tonnes.
Buenaventura raised its lead and zinc production guidance at Tambomayo for the full year due to a mine plan approach that enables access to areas with higher grades. The operation is now expected to produce 6,500 to 7,500 tonnes of lead, from the previous target of 4,000 to 5,000 tonnes, and produce 8,000 to 9,000 tonnes of zinc, compared to 6,000 to 8,000 tonnes forecast earlier.
The company decreased its full-year zinc production target at El Brocal as it focuses on stabilizing the slope for safety purposes.
