Kazakhmys (Kazakhstan) increased copper production in 1999 up to 361.8 th. tons

/IRBIS, Jan.10, 00/ - REUTERS informs, with the reference to pubic relations department of the company, by the results of last year, Kazakhstani copper corporation Kazakhmys increased copper production up to 361.889 tons from 324.466 tons in 1998. It is said 361.889 tons of refined copper has been produced in 1999, and 324.466 tons in 1998. Also, production of zinc rose to 95,857 tons from 65,297 tons in 1998, silver - to 412 tons from 359 tons in previous year, gold - to 2,319 kilograms from 1,718 kilograms in 1998. Last year new mines, concentration factories, copper smelters in East Kazakhstan region were acquired, restored and put into operation. Total production of these enterprises reached 85,000 tons of concentrated copper in the second half of the year. Ore extraction went down by 2.0 mln tons to 32.2 mln tons, though, it was compensated by processing of metallurgical slag. In monetary terms commodity production exceeded KZT77.8 bln compared to KZT47.1 bln a year ago. Press-release also reads by the end of 1999 prices on world metal markets turned favorable. Production of refined copper was planned at 360,000 tons in 1999, and approximately 400,000 tons in 2000. It is also planned to finish construction of a new zinc plant. Corporation Kazakhmys was established in 1997 on the basis of Djezkazgantsvetmet and embodies a number of metallurgical plants, concentration factories, mines and energy sources. 40% of the company's shares belong to Samsung corporation.