Silver production starts at Wonawinta

31st March 2022 By: Esmarie Iannucci - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Australasia

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed Manuka Resources has started silver production at its Wonawinta operation, in New South Wales, after completing the first phase of gold production from its Mt Boppy gold project in May this year.

The company told shareholders on Thursday that all major capital upgrades, and wet commissioning at its Wonawinta plant on the silver-bearing stockpiles, are under way.

Initial processing operations would focus on the 515 000 t stockpiles grading 70 g/t containing 1.16-million ounces of silver, and processing is planned to continue until the end of October 2022.

Manuka told shareholders that the company’s new processing approach was expected to significantly enhance profitability of silver production through improved head grade and materially lower tonnage of ore throughput, required to meet silver production targets.

Wonawinta’s current silver resource stands at 50.94-million tonnes, excluding the stockpiles, with Manuka targeting the announcement of a reserve by mid-2022.