Exploration and bulk sampling is about to kick off at Bezant Resources plc's (LON:BZT) near surface platinum and gold assets in the Chocó region of Colombia.
The alluvial processing plant has now been commissioned and mechanical testing has been successfully concluded, the mining junior said.
As previously reported, Bezant is working with experienced contractor Exumax on a 24-month exploration and development programme.
The aim of today's reported work is to rapidly establish production economics of the previously mined FKJ 083 licence, correlating historic data with the processing results.
Preparations for first test pit and sampling are scheduled to start imminently.
In January this year, Bezant took ownership of a string of alluvial platinum licences in Colombia after completing the acquisition of Leeward Islands Exploration.
Bezant paid US$1mln cash and 37.3mln in new shares for Leeward, which had options over 2,750ha of near-surface licences in the Choco district.
Bezant's chief executive Bernard Olivier told investors: "I am happy to report that the partnership with Exumax is working very efficiently.
"I look forward to updating the market shortly regarding progress with the exploration and sampling programme as well as the anticipated first recovery of platinum and gold."
Shares added 5.88% to 2.25p.