The Canadian miner, in an update to its bulk sampling programme, said that three mill runs were completed between October and December, mostly lower grade pre-stope development rock and broken rock because stope mining of the higher grades has not yet commenced.

Another mill run is expected this month and, while a run of unexpected cold weather hampered its surface crushing efforts, its crushing contractor has implemented measures to limit the breakdowns and mechanical failures it already has suffered and it is now developing stockpiles at both the mine and mill sites.

Sage is also actively sourcing equipment financing for new equipment for the Timmins complex.

Clavos, previously owned by St Andrew Goldfields, is currently undergoing work to develop a new mineral resource and reserve estimate and pre-feasibility study resulting from surface and underground drilling completed to the east and west of the site. Geological modelling at the project has been completed.

The operation, which totals 2,540ha in size, has a life-of-mine toll milling agreement with the McEwen Mining’s Black Fox Stock Mill.