Iluka production lifts in third quarter

Oct. 21, 2010 - Mineral sands miner Iluka Resources Ltd has posted a rise in production in its key operational areas in the September quarter, after reaching nameplate capacity at its Jacinth-Ambrosia and Murray Basin Stage 2 sites in July.
Iluka produced 126 thousand tonnes of zircon in the three months to September 30, a 20.3 per cent increase on the June quarter, despite lower contributions from its mid west WA operations.
For the full year, zircon production has reached 289.4 thousand tonnes, compared to 218.7 thousand tonnes in the same period of 2009.
Rutile production in the September quarter reached 73.1 thousand tonnes, a 16.4 per cent increase on the previous comparable period, on the back of higher production from the Murray Basin.
Production for the full year is now 186.3 thousand tonnes, higher than the 2009 figure of 101.5 thousand tonnes.
"The significant production uplift from the same period in 2009 reflects both a recovery in global demand in the current year and Iluka's efforts in 2009 especially in relation to zircon to match production to the then reduced global demand," the company said in its quarterly production report.
Synthetic rutile production slipped marginally in the September quarter to of 86.2 million tonnes, down from 88.3 million in the June, which the miner blames on its decision to idle part of its synthetic rutile capacity.
Iluka revenue for the quarter after currency hedging was $209.4 million, bringing sales revenue for the year to $592.6 million.