Bezant Resources plc (LON:BZT) has moved to the next phase in the ramp-up of production at the Choco alluvial mine in Colombia after successful grade verification work.
Bernard Olivier, chief executive, said: "Our mining to bedrock and grade verification process has not only successfully tested production viability but has also identified high grade zones containing significant levels of metals.”
READ: Bezant Resources looking forward to verifying grades in the virgin gravels at Choco
About 110oz of gold and platinum was recovered during the grade work, which tested 35,000 tonnes of material from the surface to the bedrock.
Bezant added it had identified a high grade zone that started at 34mln, though the production so far had started at a depth of 21m.
READ: Bezant Resources raises new funds as it advances Choco project to higher grade production
Olivier said Bezant had also developed secondary processing system that was capable of treating low grade material cost effectively.