The company said it had maintained a care and maintenance crew on site and that construction and development activities resumed as of June 15.

This team, together with management working remotely, had over the last two weeks also prepared safe operating practices (SOPs) and installed the additional site infrastructure necessary to ensure work can resume in compliance with the latest COVID-19 guidance.

Costruction work will focus on the process plant building as well as the remaining earthworks.

The mining team currently furloughed will be brought back over the next two weeks and undergo refresher training and familiarisation with the new SOPs. Underground development on a single shift basis is expected to resume from July 1.

Chief executive Richard Gray said: "There are obviously still challenges ahead but we are excited to be moving the Cononish high grade project forward again. Together with a bright outlook for gold, the resumption of development is good news for all stakeholders."