Metals Exploration (LON:MTL) is hopeful its Runruno gold mine in the Philippines will finally be up and running in January.
The processing plant is built and commissioned, but the lack of an operational permit has held up its switch-on while remedial work following damage from Typhoon Lando also prompted a partial suspension order.
Rehabilitation and clean up works in the typhoon-affected areas are progressing well, Metals Ex said, with enhancement work underway on the Malilibeg dump site and within the down-stream Residual Storage Impoundment (RSI).
The Philippines Mines and Geosciences Bureau will inspect these works to determine if the suspension order can be lifted.
Once that occurs, the tailing discharge pipeline and the RSI can be commissioned leading to the processing of ore and first production.