The materials handling system represents a significant milestone in the construction of the company's underground project, located east of Carson City, which included sinking the vent shaft, sinking the main shaft, and construction of the processing plant.

Nevada Cpopper expects the installation to enable the underground mine to deliver substantially higher volumes of ore directly from the mine to the processing plant.

Chief executive Mike Ciricillo said in a statement: "With the completion of the materials handling system, we can now utilize the full hoisting capacity of the main shaft as we ramp up the mine towards full production."

Production of 5,000t/d is expected to be achieved during the first quarter of 2021.

Pumpkin Hollow has substantial reserves and resources including copper, gold and silver. Its two fully permitted projects include the high-grade underground mine and processing facility, and a large-scale open pit project, which is advancing towards feasibility status.