Galena Mining Ltd (ASX:G1A) has reached 97% completion of construction at the Abra Base Metals Mine in Western Australia with first concentrate production expected shortly after ore commissioning next month.
Commissioning of the processing plant is progressing quickly and the company expects practical completion later this month, ahead of schedule.
Ore being mined underground is being stockpiled in readiness for processing to begin.
"On verge of transition"
Managing director Tony James said, “Record underground development in November with delivery of the first 9,000 tonnes of ore to the ROM pad along with successful plant commissioning to date puts Abra on the verge of a quick transition into production.
"Recruitment and other operational readiness activities are well advanced in preparation for January production.”
The processing plant engineering, procurement and construction has reached 99% complete.
There has been significant progress with piping and electrical works and at the end of November, these were 96% and 92% complete, respectively. Mechanical items installation is almost complete at 99%.
The following link shows a short video of the Abra crusher commissioning.
The Abra Base Metals Mine is a globally significant lead-silver project in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia, between the towns of Newman and Meekatharra and about 110 kilometres from Sandfire’s DeGrussa Project.
In November, the first material was crushed and screened as part of the staged commissioning process.
The crushing plant ran at design capacity and all commissioning milestones were successfully achieved.
Inspecting first material through the crusher.
Dry commissioning also progressed in most areas of the plant including water and air services, tailings and concentrate thickening, grinding and reagents.
Galena said that dry commissioning of the remaining areas would be completed this month.
Water commissioning is underway in the tailings and concentrate thickening areas of the plant and the remaining areas are expected to be wet commissioned by the end of December.
The remaining commissioning schedule is unchanged and shown below:
Underground progress
Underground development continued at the mine during November with a new record of 462 metres achieved over the month.
Development was focused on the 1290mRL mine services area and the mining of the first 60 metres of ore drives.
A total of 9,000 tonnes of ore has been stockpiled on the ROM pad in preparation for ore commissioning and start-up in January 2023.
Ball mill circuit with concentrate shed in the background.
The decline has reached 1,276mRL which is 274 metres below the surface and 37 metres below the original top of the orebody (1313mRL).
Underground drilling continues to consolidate the mining areas planned and has confirmed mineralisation up to 1330mRL.
This month several ore drives will commence on the 1285 and 1300mRL levels and these are expected to deliver the required ore for plant commissioning in January.
Drilling continues
Grade control and infill diamond drilling continued during November and 34 new holes were completed for a total of 4,338 metres. To date, 16,243 metres of underground drilling have been completed.
Assays received in November continue to build on the confidence in the geological interpretation of what is an extremely exciting and technically interesting mineralised system.
Work continues on the evaluation of the results and mine plans and designs are being continually reviewed as part of the mining execution plans.
Aerial photo of the Abra solar farm and power station with the Abra processing plant in the background.