Galena Mining Ltd (ASX:G1A)’s construction of its Abra Base Metals Mine is moving along at a clip, reaching 92% completion by the end of last month.
The underground mine development has reached the first ore and plant commissioning continues in several key areas, with the project focused on achieving first concentrate production in the first quarter of 2023.
Managing director Tony James said: “Reaching first ore underground is extremely rewarding for everyone involved in the project.
“To see for the first time what we have predicted and interpreted as the Abra orebody delivers a significant step forward for the project.
“Record development metres in October have taken the mine to the ore and we continue to establish key underground infrastructure with the completion of the 6-metre diameter surface rise that will be the primary return airway.”
Production on track
Overall, the progress Galena is making should see it on schedule for project completion and first commercial production in the first quarter of the new year.
The processing plant engineering, procurement and construction is tracking at 97% complete.
Structural steel has been completed in October and mechanical installations are at 96% complete, while piping is at 80% and electrical at 71% complete – the company says all items are progressing quickly.
Pacific Energy’s Hybrid 10MW LNG/solar power station has now fully integrated with the solar power supply. In addition, dry commissioning of the crushing and screening areas was wrapped up earlier this month and first rock crushing is scheduled for late November.
The Abra solar farm has been fully integrated into the mine's mains power supply.
Grinding section dry and wet commissioning will also start later this month, targeting mid-December completion.
The remaining commissioning schedule is unchanged from the last update.
Mine decline development
Mine decline development continued during October, with a total of 311 metres developed and the decline reaching 1,284mRL.
October represents the highest individual development month since the first cut was fired in the portal in October 2021.
The decline location is 266 metres vertically below the surface and is 29 metres vertically below the original top of the orebody (1313mRL).
Mineralisation reached
Underground drilling has now identified mineralisation as high as 1330mRL, which is being reviewed for potential extraction.
The 1300mRL ore access drive reached first ore in early November. The 1290mRL horizon is a significant work area for development as underground infrastructure for pumping, ventilation, second means of egress and power are all distributed from this level outwards into the development network.
All this infrastructure is currently being established and will result in an increased focus on lateral development and lower decline development in the short term.
Grade control and infill diamond drilling continued during October, with 24 new holes completed for a total of 3,629 metres.
The company has conducted 11,905 metres of underground drilling to date.
Drill core from the underground grade-control and infill drilling program.
What’s next?
October assays continue to give Galena confidence in the previous geological interpretation determined from all underground and surface drilling.
The company continues to evaluate the results and mine plans, and designs are being continually reviewed and optimised for execution.
The total project construction capital expenditure remains within budget.
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