Delays in commissioning plant at the Lisheen zinc mine led to lower production than expected earlier this year, its co-developer said yesterday. Ivernia West, which owns the mine in a 50:50 joint venture with Anglo-American, said full production rates would not be reached until the first half of 2001.

The timetable outlined at its a.g.m. last April was to reach full production by October. Net losses rose to £2.09 million in the first half from £269,000 in the same period last year. Development expenditure fell to £9.29 million from £24.94 million.