Ore from the Mount Colin operation will be batch processed at Glencore’s Mount Isa plant from this month, according to owner Aeris Resources’ latest quarterly report.

Ore production of 110,700t was achieved at Mount Colin in the September quarter, with mined copper grades of 2.30 per cent copper.

“Ore production was impacted by the need to mine some lower grade stopes due to temporary access issues to higher grade stopes on the upper levels,” the company reported.

“Higher mined grades are planned for the rest of the year and Mount Colin is forecast to meet full-year guidance.”

Aeris said 98,900t of ore was processed through Evolution’s Ernest Henry during the three-month period.

Processing has now been transferred to Glencore’s copper concentrator at Mount Isa, where the next batch of about 80,000 tonnes is set to be processed early this month.

“Going forward, Mount Colin ore will be batched processed every 8-12 weeks at Mount Isa,” Aeris said.

The company reported all-in sustaining costs of $17.1 million at its North-West Queensland operations, in line with plan and copper production of 2000t at AISC of $3.84/lb.

Aeris acquired the Mount Colin mine in a $234 million takeover of Round Oak Minerals this year.

The Mount Colin underground operation has a current planned mine life of about two years and is forecast to produce 12.5kt CuEq in FY23.