Ore from Far West will be used to augment West 45 ore and increase Thalanga production.

So far, more than 660m of lateral development has been completed at Far West. That includes 552m of total decline development. The decline is at 90m vertical depth and at the 920 ore drive cross-cut access.

A raise borer has been mobilised to site to start the Far West return air rise and second means of egress. Shaft completion and ventilation fan installation are expected in the March quarter of 2019.

"The Far West deposit will extend production at Thalanga operations for at least the next five years," Red River managing director Mel Palancian said. "Production from Far West is on track to start Q1 2019 and we are planning further drilling to target extensions of the high-grade mineralisation in early 2019."

Recent drilling has indicated potential to extend upper levels of Far West.