Vast officials said the current cold commissioned capacity at the mine was up to 7,000 tonnes per month, a number that will progressively ramp up to 14,000t/m once new equipment is delivered in January from China. The miner did not specify what pieces would be added.

Over the past year, Baita Plai has made progress towards cold commissioning, since its association licence was granted; this includes the upgrade, refurbishment or replacement of the site's electricity line, tailings pipe, mills, crushers, flotation line and equipment.

"Initial trial production is expected to be carried out shortly," the company said. It also outlined a timeline, with initial saleable concentrate projected for the fist half of 2020.

Vast Resources holds an 80% interest in Baita Plai, which is located in the Apuseni mountains of Transylvania. It had been on care and maintenance since 2013, when it was idled due to lack of capital investment and modernisation.

The miner owns another Romanian mine, the Manaila polymetallic mine, which is currently on care and maintenance.