Red River Resources Limited (ASX:RVR) has started developing the Far West mine, which will be the second underground mine at the company’s Thalanga Zinc Project in central Queensland.
The portal site has been cleared and box cut drilling has started with the main blast expected this week.
Underground development is expected to begin shortly after the completion of the box cut.
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The surface development contract at Far West has been awarded to PYBAR Mining Services, which is undertaking underground mining at the company’s West 45 underground mine.
Red River is going through the contractor selection process for the underground development.
1.5 million tonne reserve
Far West has a JORC-compliant reserve of 1.5 million tonnes at 1.3% copper, 1.6% lead, 5.0% zinc, 0.2 g/t gold and 45 g/t silver.
This represents 12.0% zinc equivalent and the operation has a minimum mine life of five years.
The Far West mineral resource estimate at greater than 5% zinc equivalent.
Red River is the leading ASX-listed pure-play zinc producer with its key asset being the Thalanga project.
Concentrate production at the project began in September 2017.
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The company is focused on maximising returns from the project by increasing plant throughput and extending mine life.
This is intended to be done by increasing resources and reserves at deposits in the mine plan - West 45, Thalanga Far West and Waterloo.
The strategy also includes converting resources into reserves at Liontown and Orient, and by continuing to aggressively explore a growing pipeline of targets within the surrounding area.