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The processing mill was suspended and staff furloughed under a UK government grant scheme after the country entered a national lockdown on March 23.

However, the company said it was able to carry out maintenance to the processing plant during the milling suspension, to minimise future maintenance interruptions.

Galantas has modified working practices to satisfy the latest health recommendations from the Northern Ireland government on COVID-19.

Feedstock for the processing plant is from low-grade stock until suitable arrangements are in place to restart development underground.

The restart of milling operations comes after the company reached an agreement with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on May 12 regarding commercial blasting at the mine.

The company has an initial production target of 30,000oz gold annually in concentrate.