KAZAKH mining group ENRC yesterday revealed that output from its key ferroalloys and iron ore divisions was badly dented in the fourth quarter of 2011 by the need for emergency repairs.
The London listed miner said production of ferroalloys dropped in the quarter, with the division suffering as a furnace malfunctioned.
Saleable output dived by 10 per cent to 360,000 tonnes in the fourth quarter, and 2011 production overall was down 2.9 per cent.
ENRC said the 82,500-tonne furnace would be operating marginally below full capacity in 2012 but would not significantly affect full year output numbers.
The miner was also hit by crusher and railway issues in its iron ore division. Primary concentrate production was down 3.8 per cent but flat over the full year, while saleable production fell 6.6 per cent in the quarter and five per cent over the year to 16m tonnes.
Chief executive Felix Vulis said: “Although numbers for the year [are] slightly less than we anticipated, we are back to full capacity and demand is there.”
Vulis added he did not expect the dip in output to affect the group’s financial results, due to be released next month.
ENRC’s production outside its core commodities fared better, with ENRC reporting higher copper, cobalt and aluminium production levels.
