Red River Resources Limited (ASX:RVR) has successfully completed the main blast at the Far West Box Cut site at its Thalanga Zinc Project in Central Queensland.
WATCH: Video of the main blast
Underground development of Thalanga Far West is expected to commence shortly after the completion of the box cut.
Red River is presently going through the contractor selection process for the underground development.
Thalanga Far West has a JORC reserve of 1.5 million tonnes at 12% zinc equivalent and a minimum mine life of five years.
READ: Red River Resources begins developing second underground mine at Thalanga Zinc Project
Far West mine will be the second underground mine at the company’s Thalanga Zinc Project.
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 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.
READ: Red River Resources drill results continue to suggest potential for longer mine life
In March, Red River received further high-grade assay results from drilling at the Liontown East discovery within the project.
The assay results further extend Liontown East and support the thesis that it can be converted into a minable deposit at Thalanga and increase its current mine life.
The results include 18.15 metres at 8.8% zinc equivalent from 517.25 metres down-hole and 23 metres at 8.25% zinc equivalent from 219 metres down-hole.