Vast Resources PLC (LON:VAST) has told investors it has kicked off a new drill programme at the Baita Plai polymetallic mine in Romania.
Findings from the programme will be used to further define the grades and resource, the company said. It will support existing efforts to confirm a JORC compliant resource statement for the project.
Operations are advancing at Baita Plai where the cold commissioning of new mine operations also started last week.
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Over the last year the infrastructure required for the mine’s cold commissioning, including the electricity line, tailings pipe, mills, crushers, flotation line and equipment, has been either upgraded, refurbished or has been replaced.
The initial trial production is expected to be carried out shortly, Vast revealed.
Footage below shows the commencement of our drilling programme at Baita Plai that will further define the grade and resource #VAST pic.twitter.com/rrMa7T328Y
— Vast Resources (@vast_resources) December 23, 2019
The current cold commissioned capacity is up to 7,000 tonnes per month (tpm) and will be progressively ramped up after the arrival of the new equipment from China in January to 14,000 tpm in accordance with the project plan.
First saleable concentrate is expected from Baita Plai in the first half of next year.
In Monday’s statement, Vast also informed investors that it has further extended the expiry of share warrants by six months to 30 June 2020.