PERTH (miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed Aurelia Metals has reported a 32% increase in the resource tonnage at its Hera gold/lead/zinc project, in New South Wales.
Following significant exploration, the Hera resource has increased to 3.2-million tonnes, grading 3.75 g/t gold, 33.4 g/t silver and 3.5% lead, as well as 4.6% zinc.
The company said that the increase in the resource implied a mine-life extension of about two years for the Hera project. However, the miner said that it still needed to complete further work before the mine-life extension could be confirmed.
“We are very pleased to be reporting a substantially upgraded Hera resource estimate, which demonstrates the ability for the initial mine life to be expanded as exploration success continues,” said Aurelia MD Rimas Kairaitis.
The Hera project achieved its first production in the September quarter of last year, and commercial production was declared in April. The project was expected to produce 390 000 oz over a minimum life-of-mine of 7.3 years.