- Central Asia Metals
- 16 April 2026 15:30:05
Source: Sharecast
For the three months through March, copper production at Kounrad totalled 2,880 tonnes, broadly in line with 2,852 tonnes a year earlier, despite what the company described as the coldest temperatures at the site in more than five years.
At Sasa, zinc-in-concentrate production fell to 4,282 tonnes from 4,603 tonnes, while lead-in-concentrate output edged down to 6,529 tonnes from 6,608 tonnes.
The AIM-traded firm said Kounrad performed slightly ahead of budget, with dump-leach operations running as expected despite periods of temperatures as low as minus 35 degrees Celsius.
At Sasa, mined and milled volumes were broadly consistent year-on-year, although zinc grades declined slightly, and revenues were affected by ongoing project delays linked to orebody variability.
Central Asia Metals said operational initiatives at Sasa continued during the quarter, including the signing of a new collective bargaining agreement with trade unions, providing labour cost certainty through to the first quarter of 2028.
The group also completed a workforce reduction of just over 11% following a business review, alongside measures to improve productivity and mine planning.
Across the group, there was one lost time injury recorded at each site during the quarter.
The company reiterated its 2026 production guidance, expecting copper output of 12,000 to 13,000 tonnes, zinc-in-concentrate production of 18,000 to 20,000 tonnes and lead-in-concentrate production of 26,000 to 28,000 tonnes.
Exploration activity progressed during the period, with preparations completed for maiden drilling programmes in Kazakhstan and drilling underway at the Arthrath base metals project in northeast Scotland, in which the group holds a 32.6% stake. Results from Arthrath are expected in the third quarter.
“Kounrad recorded a solid production result in Q1 2026, matching the total produced in the corresponding period last year despite abnormally cold weather,” said chief executive Gavin Ferrar.
“2026 promises to be an exciting year for our project pipeline, with maiden drilling programmes at our Group exploration projects in Kazakhstan.”
At 1511 BST, shares in Central Asia Metals were up 0.41% at 154.24p.
Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
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