Antinuclear

Wet weather, low grade ore, means low output for Ranger uranium mine

“We had lower grade because of access to the pit and because of the longer wet season and geological issues,”….”When we had access to the bottom of the pit, it, the grade level, was not as we were expecting,

Shortfall the pits  NT News NICK CALACOURAS   |  January 19th, 2011 ENERGY Resources Australia was forced to buy more than 600 tonnes of uranium to meet commitments after the Ranger mine produced a shortfall of ore.

The company’s December 2010 quarter review showed the mine produced only 3793 tonnes of uranium oxide last year – compared to 5240 tonnes the previous year.

Chief Financial Officer Steve Thibeault said ……”We had lower grade because of access to the pit and because of the longer wet season and geological issues,” he said.In June last year, ERA predicted it would produce 4500 tonnes of uranium once it obtained access to the higher grade ore in the lower pit.”When we had access to the bottom of the pit, it, the grade level, was not as we were expecting,” Mr Thibeault said…….

January 19, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | business, Northern Territory