Galantas Gold Corp (LON:GAL) (CVE:GAL) has commenced underground development at the Omagh mine in Northern Ireland.
Initially, the company will create a portal to gain access to the underground ore in the western side wall at the base of the existing open pit.
When the portal works are complete, the underground development will continue in order to access ore beneath a crown pillar retained in the base of the open pit. It is expected that ore zones are likely to be reached within 6 months.
"This is an important milestone in the development of the Omagh underground gold mine,” said chief executive Roland Phelps.
“We are pressing ahead with mine development, in accordance with our planning permission. We await a judgement on the judicial review of that permission, for which no date has yet been advised to us. So far, we have boosted our local workforce to 17, including some former colleagues, who were previously laid off during planning delays."