Reward Mine’s 419,000 Tonnes at 16.7g/t Gold Now Feeding New Gravity Plant
Vertex Minerals has commenced high-grade underground gold production at its Reward Mine, processing first ore through a new gravity-only plant and aiming to replace low-grade surface stockpiles with richer underground feed.
- First ore blasted and processed from underground stoping blocks
- New gravity-only gold processing plant operational at mine entry
- Ventilation system commissioned enabling full-scale underground mining
- Reward gold resource stands at 419,000 tonnes at 16.72 g/t for 225,200 oz
- Multiple mining methods employed to maximise grade and operational flexibility
Operational Milestone Achieved
Vertex Minerals has announced a significant step forward at its Reward Underground Gold Mine, with the first freshly blasted ore now sourced from initial stoping blocks. This marks the transition from surface stockpile processing to higher-grade underground ore, a move expected to enhance the overall quality and value of production.
The company has successfully commissioned a new gravity-only gold processing plant located at the mine's entry, designed to efficiently recover gold with up to 95% recovery rates. This plant will gradually replace the feed from the lower-grade surface stockpiles, aiming for a full transition to underground ore within weeks.
Infrastructure and Mining Methods
Key infrastructure developments include the energising of the underground electrical transformer and the commissioning of a primary ventilation fan, which was powered up on 21 August. This ventilation system is critical for safe and continuous underground operations, allowing Vertex to ramp up mining activities.
Vertex is employing a diversified approach to mining, utilising multiple methods such as airleg gallery and shrink stoping, jumbo cut and fill stoping, and narrow vein longhole open stoping. This strategy is intended to mitigate operational risks while maximising the head grade of the ore extracted, focusing primarily on the high-grade Mica 1 and Mica 2 veins.
Resource Base and Project Outlook
The Reward gold deposit boasts a robust mineral resource estimate of 419,000 tonnes at an impressive 16.72 grams per tonne gold, equating to 225,200 ounces. This resource forms part of the broader Hill End & Hargraves Gold Project, which collectively holds over 4.2 million tonnes at 8.7 grams per tonne for nearly 482,000 ounces of gold.
Vertex’s fully funded, debt-free position and absence of hedging provide financial flexibility as it advances underground development. The company inherited approximately AU$25 million in underground development at Reward, positioning it well to accelerate production and capitalise on the high-grade resource.
With multiple mining fronts planned across a strike length of around 400 metres, Vertex aims to establish a continuous feed of high-grade ore to its processing plant, underpinning a potentially transformative phase for the company’s flagship asset.
Bottom Line?
As Vertex Minerals shifts to high-grade underground production, the market will watch closely for assay results and production ramp-up to validate this promising new chapter.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the assay results reveal for the 300 tonnes of ore pending grading?
- How quickly can Vertex scale underground production to fully replace surface stockpile feed?
- What are the operational risks associated with the multiple mining methods employed?
