PERTH (miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed Aurelia Metals, formerly known as YTC Resources, has produced its first concentrate at the Hera gold/lead/zinc project, in South Australia.
“Our first high-grade concentrate production is an important milestone for the Hera project. To see core components of the circuit operating at, and above, design capacity at this stage in the commissioning is a pleasing outcome,” said Aurelia MD Rimas Kairaitis.
The miner said on Monday that first concentrate production followed from a 20-day trial of waste rock.
The crushing circuit has now achieved throughput rates well above design capacity, while the grinding and gravity circuit was also performing to expectations.
Furthermore, the gold leaching component of the circuit, the cyanide de-tox and the gold room have also started commissioning this week ahead of the introduction of high-grade ore into the circuit.
“The commissioning continues to progressively de-risk the process plant, and we look forward to reporting first gold production in the very near future,” Kairaitis added.
First gold sales have been targeted for the current quarter, and first concentrate sales were expected in the December quarter.
Hera is expected to produce around 390 000 oz over a minimum life-of-mine of 7.3 years.