Group 6 Metals Limited (ASX: G6M) has provided an update on its operational activities at its wholly owned Dolphin tungsten mine (DTM), King Island, Tasmania.
During July, the company focused on optimization of the process plant and preparation for drill and blast materials. The process plant processed 12,500t of low-grade ore at 0.28% WO3.
Progress has been made in ramping up the crushing circuit to achieve daily production targets which has been challenging due to the high clay content of the remnant ore. The crushing plant has proven it can exceed nameplate production when supplied with fresh ore, and concentrate production is expected to increase significantly when fresh ROM ore is supplied this month.
Group 6 managing director, Keith McKnight, commented, “The site team has been working diligently on ramp up and stabilizing the process plant operation in anticipation of receiving higher grade ore from the open pit following the commencement of production blasting. It is not unusual to encounter challenges when ramping up a new process plant, but it has demonstrated it can produce high grade concentrate at up to 70% of nameplate production which is a major positive for the project.”
Additionally, mine production achieved 140,000 BCM of material movement for July, which is in line with mine production forecasts and proves the capability of the existing mining fleet.
To date over 1.5M BCM of overburden has been moved which is significantly ahead on waste stripping allowing for easier access and greater efficiencies for mining ore on the easter side of the pit, with almost 600,000 BCM being used to construct the first stage of the tailings storage facility.
The company has stated that the commencement of high-grade ore mining at DTM is another significant milestone. It is well positioned to capitalize on the increasing strategic importance and demand for tungsten and becoming a leading producer of high-grade tungsten concentrate in the West.
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