Mining

The Cutters Vein sample returned 14.9% copper and 1,830 parts per million bismuth. The Angelia Vein sample returned 14.35% copper, and the Cristina Vein sample returned 8.7% copper with 209 grams per tonne silver.

KCGM's guidance remains 550,000 to 650,000 ounces, with the final outcome depending on how quickly the plant ramps up. In October, KCGM produced 15,300 ounces from 766,000 tonnes processed, which Northern Star said was below plan.

Of that total, 236.2 ounces came from the gravity circuit and 475.3 ounces from the elution circuit. The company expects official mint weight, assays and refined outturn from the Perth Mint next week.

Contractor Civitech started ring-beam foundations for the first carbon-in-leach (CIL) tank in October, completing reinforcement and formwork before placing concrete. Further foundation work and tank erection will follow as additional construction fronts open.

That is a 57% increase on the maiden estimate of about 1.32 million ounces at 1.54g/t declared on 20 April, adding 754,000 ounces.

Metro operates the Bauxite Hills mine on Queensland's Western Cape York Peninsula. It loads bauxite onto barges, which carry it to ocean-going ships offshore, so barging capacity is central to how much it can export.

The best intercept from the first eight reverse circulation (RC) holes was 14 metres at 3.86% copper and 7.5 grams per tonne silver from 60 metres. Hole HBRC003 returned 3 metres at 2.73% copper and 1.5g/t gold from 35 metres.