The output of the Oryo Tolgoi Copper Mine in 2018 exceeded expectations, and underground expansion will greatly increase future production capacity.

Turquoise Hill Resources (TSX: TRQ), owner and operator of Mongolia’s much-watched OyuTolgoicoppermine, said the copper mine’s copper and gold production targets in the last quarter of 2018 had exceeded expectations.

In a report released Thursday (January 17), the company reported that its Mongolian business exceeded its copper production expectation of 2018 by 2.6% to 159,100 tons and gold production expectation by 1.8% to 285,000 ounces.

Emerald Mountain Resources also released its operational guidance data for 2019. The goal is to achieve copper production of 125,000-155,000 tons and gold production of 180,000-220,000 ounces as the development of the project continues until the end of the year.

“In 2019, horizontal underground development is expected to advance 15 to 16 kilometers.”