W Resources PLC (LON:WRES) said it successfully completed the construction of a new water dam at the La Parrilla mine in Spain to resolve the issue of the high water levels.
Dewatering of the mine pit is now underway and once water levels are reduced the team will be in a position to safely regain access to high-grade ore areas.
The 500,000m3 dam is receiving water from the mine pit at a rate of 2,500m3 per hour, which will enable access to the next level of fresh ore in the next few days, the company said.
Production from the mine in the quarter to end March 2021 was lower than expected as heavy rain and high water levels restricted access to higher-grade ore.
READ: W Resources says first-quarter production from La Parrilla mine hampered by heavy rain
The final phase of the project to provide a permanent solution to the water issues at La Parrilla, comprising of a second dam, is at the design stage and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2021, the company said today.
"After an arduous process we are delighted to have completed construction of the 500,000m3 dam at La Parrilla enabling us to proceed with the full-scale dewatering of the mine pit,” said chairman Michael Masterman.
“This is a major milestone and importantly will lift the constraint to our mining operations enabling us to accelerate the process of regaining access to and recovery of the higher-grade ore."