UNDERGROUND

Vast's Baita Plai resumes operations

AIM-listed Vast Resources has restarted operations at its Baita Plai polymetallic mine in Romania after replacing a steel railway bridge connecting the mine and the flotation plant.

Concerns over the previous structure delayed the sale of concentrate

Concerns over the previous structure delayed the sale of concentrate

Safety concerns over the previous structure delayed its first sale of Baita Plai concentrate to offtake partner Mercuria. A new steel bridge was installed September 18.

Transport of ore from surface silos to the flotation plant silos has started in preparation for the hot commissioning of the flotation plant which is expected shortly, added Vast.

The mine, located in in the Apuseni Mountains, Transylvania, is now on track to meet its October production and sales targets as outlined in early September.

"We are delighted that our Baita Plai operation is operational once more," said chief executive Andrew Prelea. 

"The swift action our team took to reconnect the mine and flotation plant meant that production was able to resume quickly, resulting in minimal downtime and importantly, there is no expected impact on October production and sales targets." 

Daily blasting has begun on the mineralised horizon of the Antonio skarn between level 17 and level 18, and an incline project has started on level 18. The incline is to provide access to the continuation of the Antonio skarn from 18 level down to 19 level, and will form a production base for the next four years.

Baita Plai has a 1,800,000 tonnes copper-silver-zinc-lead- gold-tungsten-molybdenum ore body at 6% copper equivalent within the mining licence area. A new  JORC Reserve and Resource report for Baita Plai is also expected to be released this month. 

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