Equinox Minerals Ltd says it plans to produce 145,000 tonnes copper in concentrate from its Lumwana Copper Mine in Zambia in calendar 2011, after 146,690 tonnes in 2010.
Equinox says Lumwana produced 33,939 tonnes of copper in concentrate （CIC） during the fourth quarter of calendar 2010.
Equinox said material movements of 28.52 million tonnes （mt） marked the third consecutive quarter above a 105 mtpa mining rate, with the pit performing well in the early stages of the Zambian wet season.
"The plant continued to produce above its design rate of 20 mtpa over Q410, with 5.48 mt of ore milled, Equinox said in a statement.
Copper production fell in the fourth quarter in accordance with the mine plan, due to lower head grades of 0.69 per cent copper.
"Average grades for 2011 are expected to remain around Q410 levels as mining operations move along strike away from the higher grade Starter Pit at Malundwe," Equinox said.
Equinox said it expected operating costs of $US1.45 per pound of copper produced in 2011.
Equinox's financial year ended on December 31.
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