The Abra Base metals mine has started ore commissioning, with the first ore feed going into the plant on January 8.
The Abra Base mine is 60 per cent owned by Galena Mining and is a globally significant lead-silver project in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia.
In 2019, Galena completed what the company called an “outstanding” definitive/bankable feasibility study for development of an underground mine and processing facility to produce a high-value, high-grade lead-silver concentrate.
“I would like to congratulate the Abra team and key contractors for this historic achievement,” Galena managing director Tony James said.
“With ore commissioning underway, we expect first concentrate production in January 2023 followed by the first product shipment in Q1 CY2023, as previously announced.
“The mine now moves into the next phase of production ramp-up, which will underpin the long-term performance and life of the Abra mine.”
A final investment decision was made to complete the Abra Base project in June 2021, with construction wrapping on time to reach first commercial production in the first quarter of 2023.
Galena Mining announced high-grade lead-silver-zinc findings from its drilling program at the Abra deposit back in 2017.
Early 2022 saw Galena complete construction of the airstrip at Abra – an important achievement for its fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workforce.
James said the airstrip was another step in the right direction for the company and operation.
“The completion and commissioning of the new Abra airstrip is a really significant milestone for the project,” he said.
“Being able to use larger planes for our FIFO work cycles during the remaining construction phase of the project makes a significant improvement to the project’s logistics and accessibility.”
Galena announced its intention to fulfil first production in the first quarter of 2023 back in 2021, a promise that has now been fulfilled.
“I’m ecstatic that everything is now in place and we’ve been able to make the final investment decision for Abra,” James said.
“Galena is now poised to join the ranks of high-margin Australian producers, benefitting from buoyant base metals markets.
“I’d particularly like to thank our hard-working team who have achieved so many project milestones to get to this point.”