Pantoro Limited (ASX:PNR) has encountered high-grade ore zones during development of the Star of Erin lode at its OK Underground Mine near Norseman, Western Australia.
Following completion of the delayed secondary egress rise at the OK mine during February, Pantoro moved quickly to start stoping activities.
The first stope excavated with down holes from the Star of Erin 095 level has been successful in maintaining design width and excellent fragmentation.
Bogging of the stope is underway ahead of backfilling and excavation of the next production panel.
Development on Star of Erin’s 253 level has driven consistent and very high grade ore, surpassing modelled expectations.
Development has progressed east of the current Ore Reserve boundary with outstanding width and grade consistently reporting from the ore block.
High grades have continued to be encountered in the latest development cuts.
While vertical continuity of the ore zone is yet to be tested with additional development above and below the 253 level, results to date suggest there is strong potential to the upside on the current Ore Reserve in the Star of Erin with the OK ore being well documented as being a highly nuggety orebody.
Development of the levels above and below the 253 level are being prioritised, and ore development is expected to be underway in those areas in March/April 2023.
Both underground and open pit mining is currently advancing at the rates expected at the time of the equity raising in February 2023.
The current focus in the open pits is to rapidly advance mining in the Scotia open pit so that substantial high grade ore is accessed during the June 2023 quarter.
The processing plant is currently being operated at or near nameplate capacity, and improvements works are currently underway to further increase production capacity in the near term.
Pantoro currently expects to be in a position to declare commercial production during the June 2023 quarter, coinciding with a step change in available ore from Scotia in May and June 2023.
Pantoro Managing Director Paul Cmrlec said it was very pleasing to see progress in both the underground and open pit mines at Norseman.
He continued: “While the project start-up has been difficult for a number of reasons, we remain very confident in the long term value of the Norseman project.
“While it is still early days, the potential upside displayed in the development at OK is very encouraging, and we look forward to increasing production from the mine as more work areas become available in the coming months”.
The OK mine, part of the wider Norseman Gold Project, is 50 per cent owned by Pantoro and 50 per cent owned by Tulla Resources (ASX:TUL).
Pantoro manages the unincorporated joint venture and is responsible for defining and implementing work programs and management of the operation.
