Frontier Mining (LON:FML) has jumped another hurdle as it races to bring the Benkala copper mine online, with a new JORC resource upgrade.
Benkala in Kazakhstan now has a total JORC resource of 1.56 million tonnes of contained copper, with 183,000 tonnes from oxide ore and 1.37 million tonnes from sulphide ore.
In total the update added 75,260 tonnes of contained copper - split between oxide (9,720 tonnes) and sulphide (65,540 tonnes).
Importantly it included a significant move up into the measured resource category for both ore types - it now has 38,000 tonnes of contained copper in measured resources. Inferred resource also got a meaningful uplift, adding 42,800 tonnes - 7.6 percent increase.
The new resource statement was completed by Wardell Armstrong International (WAI). The resource update builds on December’s initial JORC resource and it encompasses all the drilling data gathered to date.
“The updated JORC resource statement now consolidates all drilling information and will set the basis for further infill and exploration drilling in both the oxide and sulphide zones and will provide the basis for reserve reporting and pit optimisation to support operations,” Frontier Mining director William Durand Eppler said on Monday.
“This marks an important stage in Frontier's development at Benkala, confirming the project's significant resource endowment and our commitment to the highest technical standards."