Alphamin, producer of 4% of the world’s tin, expects to increase contained tin production at its Mpama North mine in DR Congo from 11,000tpa to 13,000tpa from July after commissioning its fine tin recovery plant and a planned 5-10% increase in processed ore volumes.
After better than expected tin feed grades and plant recoveries delivered record Dec qtr (Q4FY2020) production of 2,898t, up from 2,563t in the previous period, Alphamin expects to deliver 5,500t in the June half-year and increase to 6,500t in H2 as it reaches its annualised goal.
Q2 sales fell to 2,306t (Q3: 2,695t) due to extreme seasonal rains impacting export roads. Improving road conditions and dry season (Jan-Mar) maintenance should allow Alphamin to recoup the majority of the shortfall in the March qtr.