Canada’s Dundee Precious Metals (DPM) said that during the first quarter it has achieved a strong gold concentrate output from both of its mines in Bulgaria – Chelopech and Ada Tepe, as the Ada Tepe mine achieved its highest quarterly gold production to date.Gold production and treatment in the Ada Tepe mine reached 30,300 ounces, exceeding planned levels for the first quarter while the plant operated at design specifications, DPM said in a statement last week. Gold output in the Chelopech mine, located in western Bulgaria, was 42,700 ounces in the period under review, DPM said. “Chelopech continued its consistent track record in the first quarter, with gold production in line with expectations. Copper production was slightly below plan due to lower than expected grades and recoveries,” DPM added. Overall, as a result of strong management focus and outstanding efforts at DPM’s sites to proactively respond to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, DPM delivered solid first quarter operating results and is on track to meet previously issued 2020 guidance, it said. To date, DPM has not experienced any material disruptions to its operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company added. In 2019, DPM achieved record-high gold concentrate output of 230,600 ounces from its two Bulgarian mines – Chelopech and Ada Tepe, as the Ada Tepe mine reached full operating capacity in September 2019.
