Vast Resources PLC (LON:VAST) has announced that metallurgical work undertaken by well-known mining industry consultant SGS is likely to lead to significant production improvements at the Manaila polymetallic mine in Romania.
The work investigated the potential for further improvements to Vast’s ability to separate the zinc content at Manaila effectively from the copper content.
Commissioning has now begun on a second flotation circuit designed to separate the zinc in order to produce a saleable zinc product by September.
At the same time, copper grades in the copper concentrate should be boosted to around 19%.
Vast’s chief executive referred to what he called “significant improvements in grades and recoveries”, adding that the results were “very encouraging.”
“The systematic approach to implementing the optimisation and test work studies has resulted in achieving the initial target of producing high copper grade concentrate grade with a low zinc content on a sustainable basis,” he said.
Vast’s shares have increased by more than two thirds in value since they hit lows in June.