Palabora Mining Co. Ltd. Monday said it hoisted 2.67 million tons of copper in the second quarter of the year, down 2.6% on the 2.74 million tons hoisted in the first quarter of the year

Daily production from the underground mine in South Africa's Limpopo region was affected by two, four-day stoppages in the production hoists, but still averaged 29,392 tons. This was 4% lower than the prior quarter and 2% higher than the corresponding period in 2005.

The tons hoisted for the first half of 2006 were 8% higher than the corresponding period in 2005.

Total mill throughput remained in line with the previous quarter. Mill head grade for the quarter was slightly below the average of the first quarter, however the overall trend for the second quarter was steadier and higher than the average for January and February.

Palabora, situated in the Ba-Phalaborwa area of Limpopo, operates South Africa's largest copper mine. After 40 years of mining from a large, open-pit operation, the ore is now extracted in an underground operation located immediately below the open pit. Overall copper production is supplemented by imported copper concentrates from Zambia.