en.Wedoany.com Reported - Central Asia Metals' copper and zinc production in the first five months of 2026 both exceeded the same period last year, primarily driven by improved operational efficiency.
From January to May 2026, the company's Kounrad mine in Kazakhstan produced 5,141 tonnes of copper, a 3.8% increase from 4,953 tonnes in the same period last year. The mine is the company's wholly-owned low-cost copper project, commissioned in 2012, which uses heap leaching, solvent extraction, and electrowinning processes to treat historical waste rock dumps, with mining permits and operational life extending to 2034. During the same period, the company's Sasa mine in North Macedonia produced 7,566 tonnes of zinc concentrate, up 2.3% from 7,397 tonnes a year earlier. This wholly-owned underground lead-zinc mine, acquired in 2017, has had its service life extended to 2039 through process improvements and produces zinc and lead concentrates.
In addition to higher output, the average selling prices of metal products sold during these five months also rose. The average copper price was $13,076 per tonne, up 40% year-on-year. The average zinc price was $3,299 per tonne, up 19% year-on-year.
Looking ahead to the full year, Central Asia Metals is confident in achieving its annual production guidance: 12,000 to 13,000 tonnes of copper, 18,000 to 20,000 tonnes of zinc concentrate, and 26,000 to 28,000 tonnes of lead concentrate. On the copper side, the Kounrad mine's heap leaching operations typically show stronger performance in the second half of the year, benefiting from warmer temperatures.
Additionally, the company stated that its business scope will expand beyond Central Asia and Europe. Last week, the company announced plans to acquire Cygnus Metals to gain access to its high-grade copper-gold project in Quebec, Canada.
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