Commencement of bulk mining at Anthill on
In two short months since listing on the ASX, Austral's team of employees and contractors have safely managed the transformation of a paddock into a mine. The mining fleet was mobilised whilst the site team cleared the pit areas, established haul roads and ROM pad, installed site infrastructure, then began drilling and blasting.
Mining commenced on 7 January with one excavator and two trucks on dayshift. A second excavator and trucks will begin bulk mining this week and the operation will commence mining on both a dayshift and nightshift. Drilled and blasted volumes are well ahead of schedule with 430,000bcm ready for mining. This should see Anthill achieve planned development tonnages by the end of January and first ore mined in
The
The electrowinning circuit is being readied to increase production from the current 5tpd of copper cathode to 30tpd by mid 2022, corresponding to 10,000tpa of cathode production.
Austral's Chief Executive Officer,
"It's pleasing to see site work conducted safely, on schedule and building momentum. This is a testament to the hard work of Austral's employees and contractors.
The Anthill mine is a hive of activity with two blast rigs working ahead of the mining fleet to deliver broken ground. Clearing is nearing completion over the two pits, dewatering and monitoring bores are being installed, and topsoil is being stockpiled for future rehabilitation. Our
We have 100 personnel onsite to undertake the
Exploration and development activities are currently being expanded with the goal of fast-tracking discoveries.
We look forward to further shareholder updates as we prepare to commence maiden copper production from Anthill and begin exploration and development activities."
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About
Austral owns a significant copper inventory with a JORC compliant Mineral Resource Estimate of 60Mt at 0.7% Cu and 1,940km2 of highly prospective exploration tenure in the heart of the Mt Isa district, a world class copper and base metals province. The Company is implementing an intensive exploration and development programme designed to extend the life of mine and increase then review options to commercialise its copper resources.
Contact:
Investor and Media Relations Manager
T: +61-405-555-618
E: jm@janemorganmanagement.com.au
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