Heron Resources Ltd. announced it has successfully commenced processing activities at its 100% owned Woodlawn zinc-copper mine. Reclaimed tailing from hydraulic mining operations are now being processed in the new flotation treatment facility. This marks the start of full production activities at the mine.
The company said it has now turned its attention to the ramp-up program with a focus on increasing throughput to nameplate capacity, achieving design recoveries and meeting product quality specifications for the three base metal concentrates, which will be produced at Woodlawn. In addition, preparation for the first processing campaign of high-grade underground ore is well advanced and will proceed following the current ramp-up program.
Underground mining continues to perform well, with production in the last three months exceeding plans, and development ore from the G2 Lens stockpiled at the crushing circuit in readiness for processing, the company said. Based on the current ore reserves mine plan, the project is expected to produce three concentrates at an average annualized gross production rate at steady-state of 40,000 tons of zinc, 10,000 tons of copper, 12,000 tons of lead, 900,000 ounces of silver and 4,000 ounces of gold over an initial mine life of 9.3 years. Significant potential for mine life extensions exists through the conversion of high-grade underground resources and further exploration success.
“We are excited to have now achieved this significant milestone in the transition from explorer to producer with the processing of the first reclaimed tailing through the Woodlawn plant,” Heron Managing Director and CEO Wayne Taylor said. “Commencing operations is timely, and we look forward to taking advantage of continuing favorable conditions in base metals markets as we ramp up our operations.”
