Central Asia Metals reduces copper production in Kazakhstan by 4% in Jan-SeptBritish Central Asia Metals plc (CAML) produced 9,833 tonnes of copper in Kazakhstan at the Kounrad project in January-September 2025, the company reported.In the first 9 months of 2024, 10,248 tonnes of copper were mined at the Kounrad project. Thus, the figure for the current year decreased by 4%.Zinc-in-concentrate production at the Sasa mine in Macedonia decreased by 6.4% to 12,894 tonnes. Lead-in-concentrate production decreased by 5.8% to 18,591 tonnes."Kounrad [copper operation in Kazakhstan] delivered another quarter of reliable, high-margin production, benefitting as expected from the warmer weather during the summer months which aids leach kinetics. We continue to assess all relevant aspects of the operation with a view to optimising output and margins, and maximising the productive life of the asset.," the company's CEO Gavin Ferrar is quoted as saying in the press release.The Sasa project continued to ramp up mining and processing rates. "Grade control remained challenging, with lead and zinc grades lower than the comparable period in 2024," Ferrar noted.The company maintained its 2025 production guidance for copper at 13,000-14,000 tonnes, zinc-in-concentrate at 17,000-19,000 tonnes, and lead-in-concentrate at 25,000-27,000 tonnes.In Q3 2025, Aberdeen Minerals, in which CAML holds a 28.4% stake (with a potential to increase to 37.6%), completed a drilling program at its nickel-copper-cobalt Arthrat project in northeast Scotland, with results expected in Q4 2025.CAML Exploration (CAML X), an 80% owned subsidiary of CAML, continued to advance its exploration portfolio in Kazakhstan during the reporting period. Magnetic and geochemical surveys were completed over all active licence areas, and induced polarization surveys commenced to refine targets for the 2026 drilling program. In Q3 2025, two new licences were granted, increasing the CAML X portfolio to six licences.Central Asia Metals owns 100% of the Kounrad copper project in Kazakhstan and 100% of the Sasa zinc-lead mine in North Macedonia. The subsidiary CAML Exploration, 80% owned by the company, is engaged in exploration in Kazakhstan. CAML also holds a 28.7% stake in UK-based Aberdeen Minerals Ltd, which specializes in the exploration and development of non-ferrous metal deposits in northeast Scotland.According to its website, the company's shareholders include Fidelity International (9.3%), JO Hambro Capital Management (8.71%), Hargreaves Lansdown (7.03%), Man GLG (4.75%), Blackrock Investment (4.04%), and others.CAML shares have been traded on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market since 2010. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX