KAZ Minerals cuts Q1 copper output 4.1%

ALMATY. May 28 (Interfax) - KAZ Minerals produced 90,400 tonnes of copper in the first quarter of 2025, a 4.1% decline compared to the same period last year, the company said in a statement.

The group attributed the decrease partly to lower ore grades but said output was slightly higher than the 92,900 tonnes produced in the fourth quarter of 2024. "The reduction in by-product volumes was due to mining in areas with lower polymetallic content," the company said.

Gold production fell 20.9% to 31,000 ounces, while silver output saw a marginal increase of 0.7% to 884,000 ounces. Zinc concentrate production dropped by 11.4% to 9,300 tonnes.

Copper sales totaled 80,300 tonnes, 11% less than was produced, primarily due to stockpiling of cathode copper in the supply chain.

The Aktogay mine increased copper output 0.7% to 56,000 tonnes, while production at Bozshakol fell 13.7% to 23,400 tonnes. Output from the Eastern Region and Bozymchak declined by 5.2% to 11,000 tonnes.

KAZ Minerals is one of Kazakhstan's leading copper producers, operating the open-pit Aktogay mine in East Kazakhstan and the Bozshakol mine in Pavlodar region, along with three underground mines and processing plants in East Kazakhstan. The company also owns the Bozymchak copper-gold mine in Kyrgyzstan.