The Challenger Gold Mine has successfully met all its mining and processing targets to date, with operating costs since first production in 2002 averaging $399 per ounce. A summary of production statistics for the Challenger Mine for the past five financial years is shown below:
| |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
2007/08 |
2008/09 |
2009/10 |
| Tonnes mined (tonnes) |
387,585 |
383,349 |
449,527 |
430,798 |
572,139 |
| Ore Processed (tonnes) |
375,955 |
373,924 |
432,895 |
434,087 |
546,649 |
| Head Grade (g/t) |
9.52 |
9.66 |
8.35 |
7.54 |
5.00 |
| Recovery (%) |
94.3 |
93.4 |
93.8 |
94.0 |
92.10 |
| Gold Produced (ozs) |
108,080 |
108,191 |
109,326 |
98,755 |
80,570 |
| Cash Operating Cost (per tonne) |
$80.64 |
$89.30 |
$92.70 |
$99.65 |
$102.70 |
| Cash Operating Cost (per oz) |
$280 |
$309 |
$367 |
$438 |
$697 |
2005/06 was the first full year of underground production at Challenger, which saw the operation exceeding all targets with the pace of both development and production from stoping surpassing budgets in terms of tonnes and grades delivered.
From the start of production in October 2002, a total of 647,205 ounces of gold had been recovered by 30 June 2010 at an average operating cost of $399 per ounce. This was achieved from processing a total of 546,649 tonnes of ore.
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