Commodity Online reported that Mirabela Nickel Limited has sold 3909 tonnes of nickel in Q2 2011, up by 88% QoQ. Production at its Brazilian mine boosted by 20% to 3395 tonnes.

However, cash costs also rose by 13% to USD 7.85 from USD 6.97 during the period primarily due to the timing of smelter charges and a weak US dollar as compared to the Brazilian Real.

Ramp up of its Santa Rita operation was continuing, with the processing plant to handle 7.2 million tonnes a year. The company is aiming for 15,500 to 16,500 tonnes of Nickel for the 12 months. The lower end of the range is due to lower nickel grades at the top of the central zone ore contact, with the upper end of the range possible due to the accelerated plant upgrade schedule.

In the first half of 2011 financial year, Mirabela Nickel booked a net loss of USD 46.9 million.