Nevada Copper Corp (TSX:NCU, OTC:NEVDF) said it continues to rapidly progress with the restart of its Pumpkin Hollow underground copper mine located in Nevada, USA, targeting a mill restart in the third quarter with a quick ramp-up to nameplate capacity by the end of 2023.
In a statement, the company said it has advanced on all underground activities, including mine development, hoisting, stope preparation, and underground projects.
It noted that definition drilling of the initial stopes to feed the restart of milling operations has been completed and assayed, which confirmed rock quality, grade, and geometry represented by the geologic and reserve models.
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Nevada Copper said it has also completed the bid process for the development mining contractor and is in the final stages of negotiations for a unit rate contract with an internationally recognized major mining services contractor.
Additionally, the company said it has awarded Dumas Contracting USA Inc a $12 million construction contract to complete critical capital projects, including the coarse ore bin and installation of an underground jaw crusher, permanent dewatering system, vent shaft stripping and surface fans.
Nevada Copper CEO Randy Buffington said the company was focused on advancing the restart project quickly and safely.
“We are building on the momentum of the recent achievements by the underground crews as they have progressed through the dike structure and are advancing into the EN Zone in anticipation of the underground development contractor arriving on site and commencing development,” he said.
“The technical and leadership teams are in place and committed to executing this restart plan.”
High-quality targets identified
Further, the company said it has completed a thorough review of regional mapping for its land position and several high-quality targets have been identified.
Surface sampling results from the Copper Ridge area have indicated the high-grade potential, highlighted by grades including 5.03% and 5.43% copper warrant additional investigation, Nevada Copper said.
The company plans to follow up on the other identified high-potential targets with detailed mapping, interpretation of recent geophysical analysis, and surface sampling in 2023.
Nevada Copper is a copper producer and owner of the Pumpkin Hollow copper project, located in Nevada, USA.
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