LONDON (ShareCast) - Central Asia Metals (CAM) warned investors that full-year production will take a hit, as problems with its copper recovery plant in Kazakhstan dramatically slowed processing.
A problem with the solvent extraction section of its Kounrad plant resulted in a bulk loss of organic inventory within a short time frame.

"After inspection, it was identified that one of nine weir plates in the recently commissioned solvent-extraction mixer settler had fallen out of position, resulting in the ability of the organic inventory to escape from the circuit via the raffinate and onto the dumps," the company said in a statement.

Production has restarted at a much lower flow rate, which will continue for the remainder of the week, until full reparations are made, the company said.

Investigations are already underway to determine the root of the malfunction.

"Once the situation has been properly assessed over the next few days and we have had chance to discuss the delivery of reagents with suppliers we will be making a further announcement," CAM added.

As of 10:00 BST, CAM was trading 1.1% lower at 178p.

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