Hillgrove Resources (ASX:HGO) remains on track for the first copper production in early 2024 at its Kanmantoo Underground Mine in South Australia, after kickstarting bulk mining late last year.
On 30 December 2023, the $173.98 million market capitalisation company conducted the first stope blast at Kanmantoo.
Hillgrove says subsequent blasts have increased the size as the void around the initial raise bore hole opens and post-blast ground conditions are assessed.
Further, the wet plant will begin commissioning next week.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lachlan Wallace says over the next 2 weeks, the company will commission the wet circuit of the processing plant, with the first copper production following shortly after.
“As the blasting opens up the stoping level, broken stock is being bogged and transported to the ore stockpile in preparation for first copper production.”
On 20 December 2023, Mining.com.au reported Hillgrove had processed ore through the dry plant which included primary and secondary crushers, screening plant, conveyor belts, and associated electrical and process control systems at Kanmantoo.
The work is part of the processing plant re-commissioning program. Hillgrove also recently established a secondary means of egress following installation of a Safescape ladder system.
The Kanmantoo underground mine lies just outside of Adelaide and began mining in May 2023.
Hillgrove Resources is a South Australian copper-gold focused company. The company is focused on its Kanmantoo mine, as well as other regional exploration tenements.
As of 30 September 2023, the company had $24.680 million cash and cash equivalents at hand, according to its latest quarterly report.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Hillgrove Resources
