(Kitco News) – K92 Mining (TSX: KNT) announced production in Q2 2021 at its Kainantu gold mine in Papua New Guinea of 25,015 oz AuEq or 22,153 oz gold, 1,098,730 lbs copper and 14,914 oz of silver. The company’s Q2 2021 production was 7% lower compared to 26,847 AuEq ounces produced in Q2 2020.
The company also reported record quarterly plant throughput with 75,667 tonnes processed, representing a 53% increase from Q2 2020.
K92 said that production during the quarter was materially impacted by a surge in COVID-19 cases in Papua New Guinea and the suspension of expatriate travel between Australia and Papua New Guinea from mid-March through to mid-May.
K92’s operational resiliency and efficiencies in addressing COVID-19 challenges were reflected in operational performance in the second half of the quarter, with production totaling 16,284 oz AuEq, the company added.
During the second quarter, the operation continued its positive ramp-up momentum to run-rate Stage 2 Expansion throughput, delivering record mill throughput of 75,667 tonnes processed. This was achieved despite unexpected short-term challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
K92 noted that the COVID-19 resiliency on site is rapidly improving, with vaccination programs underway on site and expatriates already vaccinated in their country of origin. This is expected to drive operational efficiencies, the company said in a press-release.