Hillgrove Resources Ltd (ASX:HGO) has pulled the first load of copper from the Kavanagh lode system of the Kanmantoo Underground project, delivering it to the run-of-mine (RoM) stockpile.
The high-grade copper was recovered from a ventilation shaft, currently being advanced by the Komatsu MC51 continuous mining machine.
Hillgrove is testing the Komatsu MC51, an electric hard rock cutting machine that can mine continuously with a single operator, for the South Australian Government as part of a compensated underground mining technology trial.
First copper in just three years
“This is a symbolic milestone which celebrates the excellent work by the team at Kanmantoo in taking the underground project from concept to first copper over the last three years,” Hillgrove Resources CEO and managing director Lachlan Wallace said.
“I look forward to finalising the funding and commencing production this year.”
Hillgrove expects more high-grade copper will be excavated and stockpiled as the ventilation shaft and primary decline cuts are made across the Kavanagh lode system, one of two main lodes that will potentially be developed as two separate entities for underground production.
Hillgrove’s first copper is well timed, providing a first look at the potential quality of copper production at the asset just as the copper market is heating up. Copper has gained over 25% in price in both the 2020 and 2021 years, rising to an average $4.56 per pound in 2022.