Vertex Minerals (ASX:VTX) has processed the first ore with the newly installed gravity gold plant at the Reward Gold Mine in New South Wales.
The plant, which has been installed adjacent to the underground mine portal, processed ore to a gold concentrate with visible gold evident in concentrate.
Vertex, which has a market capitalisation of $42 million, notes the sale of the first commercial gold is expected in February 2025.
In parallel, the company expected to complete the installation of the ore sorter module during the same time, which is already underway.
Executive Chairman Roger Jackson says the ore sorter, which is a separate module to the gravity plant, is ahead of time and within budget.
“We are looking forward to running one of Australia’s most unique and environmentally sympathetic gold plants,” Jackson says.
“This is a very small but high-tech gold plant that utilises ore sorting and gravity methods to process high-grade gold without chemicals or a ball mill.
“It was a wonderful moment to see ore going through the crushing circuit and into the centrifugal concentrators, and within a few minutes to see visible gold in the concentrate produced. We now look forward to further optimising plant operation, training our operators and the move to commercial operating status with solid cash flow.”
Vertex Minerals is an Australia-based gold explorer currently developing its Hargraves and Hill End gold projects in the Eastern Lachlan Fold Belt of New South Wales.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Vertex Minerals
