CNX cu grades of 3-5% cu outshine Rio T and BHP mines Escondida, which Rio (30 per cent ownership) shares with BHP (57.5 per cent ownership) and Japan-based JECO Corp (12.5 per cent ownership), delivered a 7 per cent production increase compared with the first quarter of 2023.
This came as the mine delivered a 0.92 per cent copper concentrate feed grade, up from 0.78 per cent in the corresponding period last year.
BHP said it expected Escondida’s concentrator feed grade to average between 0.85 per cent and 0.9 per cent for the 2023–24 financial year (FY24).
The Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia delivered a 7 per cent production increase compared with the first quarter of 2023 as the mine’s ramp-up continues.
“During the quarter, we delivered 1.3 million tonnes of ore milled from the underground mine at an average copper head grade of 1.67 per cent and 9 million tonnes from the open pit with an average grade of 0.39 per cent,” Rio Tinto said.