Australian copper-gold producer and explorer, Aeris Resources Limited, reported an update on critical development projects at its Tritton Copper Operations in NSW.
Avoca Tank
The installation of the escape ladderway to the surface has been finished as scheduled, allowing stoping to begin. On 28 May, trucking of the first Avoca Tank stope, delivering 11kt at 3.0% Cu ore, began. This high-grade ore will contribute to Tritton Copper Operations’ significant rise in copper output expected in Q4.
The Avoca Tank mine is still operating an active diamond drilling program. The resource definition and grade control drilling has concentrated on a 60m high vertical section encompassing the initial production front.
The drill program has surpassed expectations, with most drill holes encountering high-grade copper and gold and three huge sulphide lenses: two copper-gold and one smaller gold-only. Down-plunge lenses stay open.
According to Aeris, drilling verified a main high-grade copper-gold massive sulphide lens with a smaller less continuous off-shoot. The larger massive sulphide lens continues vertically beyond the 60m drilling window 100m along strike. The drill program has not closed the north-strike lens.
Budgerygar
Raise boring for the Budgerygar ventilation shaft is still encountering geotechnical issues, resulting in slower-than-expected development. The 4.0m diameter vent shaft is planned to be finished in the first quarter of FY24.
However, Q4 FY23 output from Budgerygar is not jeopardised as the planned tonnes may be mined using existing infrastructure prior to the construction of the principal ventilation shaft. The completion of the ventilation shaft will allow for increased production rates with different heads in the future. Budgerygar’s ore development efforts are proceeding as planned.
“The team at Tritton have done a fantastic job to bring Avoca Tank into production on time. This high-grade ore source will be a major contributor to lifting copper grades at Tritton going forward. The recent high-grade drill results at Avoca Tank also indicate the potential for higher grades and a larger metal inventory within the initial mining areas,” Aeris Executive Chairman Andre Labuschagne said.
Unfortunately, Labuschagne explained that geotechnical issues continue to delay the Budgerygar ventilation raise, which is now projected to be completed in early Q1 FY24, allowing for a considerable increase in mine output in FY24.
“Scheduled ore and Cu metal production from Budgerygar in quarter 4 however is not at risk as the scheduled tonnes can be mined with existing infrastructure, prior to completion of the primary ventilation shaft,” he added.
