The resumption of normal operations after unusually heavy rains through the previous period has enabled mineral sands miner Sierra Rutile to lift its Dec qtr (Q4FY2022) rutile production to 37,000t, up from 28,000t in Q3.
Ilmenite production rose to 15,000t (Q3: 14,000t) and zircon in concentrate/garnet in concentrate to 8,000t (7,000t).
Full year production at the Sierra Leone operation, demerged mid-year by Iluka Resources, came in at 136,000t rutile, 59,000t ilmenite and 34,000t ZIC/GIC. Operating cash costs for rutile were $US1,198/t.
FY2023 guidance is 140,000-144,000t rutile at $950-1,025/t.