(Vancouver) Teck Resources reports that production at its Quebrada Blanca mine fell short of its 2023 forecast due to operational difficulties.

The Vancouver-based mining company says production from its Quebrada Blanca copper mine, excluding copper cathodes, totaled 56,200 tonnes. Management forecasts suggested production of at least 80,000 tonnes. In the fourth quarter, production was 35,000 tonnes.

Teck says its goal in the fourth quarter was to improve operations, but that took longer than expected. The company added that operations were operating near planned capacity at the end of December.

For steelmaking coal, Teck says fourth-quarter sales totaled 6.1 million tonnes, near the upper end of its forecast.

The price of steelmaking coal obtained by Teck in the fourth quarter averaged US$270 per tonne.

The company is expected to provide its full 2023 production results and 2024 guidance on January 16 and release its fourth quarter financial results on February 21.