Dundee Tsumeb smelter on course for shutdown

By Hilary Mare

DUNDEE Precious Metals Tsumeb smelter is on course for a planned maintenance shutdown during the fourth quarter of 2019 following what is expected to be a record 18 months of operation, Rick Howes, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dundee Precious Metals has said.

Announced its mine and smelter production results for the three and six months ended June 30, Howes noted that Tsumeb processed 61,667 tonnes of concentrate during the second quarter.

“Year-to-date, the smelter has processed 124,489 tonnes of concentrate and full year performance is expected to be within guidance. 255,981 tonnes of concentrate were treated over the most recent four quarters which is a new record for the smelter, demonstrating the continuity in improved performance,” said Howes adding that Chelopech and Tsumeb production are in line with 2019 guidance.

“Chelopech and Tsumeb are on track to achieve annual guidance, while at Ada Tepe (formerly referred to as the Krumovgrad project) guidance has been reduced following longer than expected construction of subsequent cells for the integrated mine waste facility (IMWF). The construction of subsequent cells is progressing well and this initial constraint is expected to be released in August,” further stated Howes.

The Company’s second quarter and year-to-date 2019 operating and financial results are expected to be released after market close on Tuesday, July 30, 2019.

Dundee Precious Metals Inc. is a Canadian based, international gold mining company engaged in the acquisition of mineral properties, exploration, development, mining and processing of precious metals. The Company’s operating assets include the Chelopech operation, which produces a gold-copper concentrate containing gold, copper and silver and a pyrite concentrate containing gold, located east of Sofia, Bulgaria; the Ada Tepe operation, which produces a gold concentrate containing gold and silver, located in southern Bulgaria; and the Tsumeb smelter, a complex copper concentrate processing facility located in Namibia. DPM also holds interests in a number of developing gold and exploration properties located in Canada and Serbia, and its 10.3% interest in Sabina Gold & Silver Corp.