Western Areas Nickel Output Rises As Costs Fall

Platts reported Western Areas (TSX:WSA,ASX:WSA) increased nickel production to 7,504 mt of nickel in ore at an average grade of 5.1% in the three months to September 30.

As quoted in the market news:

Total nickel-in-concentrate output from the company’s mill was 6,951 mt at a unit cash cost of A$2.49/lb (US$2.57/lb), well below full-year guidance of A$3/lb and 14% below the June quarter, Western Areas said.

Delivery of concentrate from the Cosmic Boy concentrator in Western Australia to BHP Billiton’s operations at Kambalda, also in Western Australia, and Jinchuan’s smelter in China continued during the September quarter, with a total of 47,794 mt of concentrate delivered containing 6,923 mt of nickel.

Click here to read the full Platts report.