The complex near Kalgoorlie is being mined by local contractor Eureka Mines, with production expected to go 20m deeper into the current open pit. That work should be completed by March.

Once that stage of work is wrapped, the miner will enter an updated ore reserve in hopes of restarting mining pending the results of a feasibility study. 

Eureka is a soon-to-be-new addition to Tyranna’s portfolio; the miner said on December 1 it was acquiring the asset from Central Iron Ore. It has already submitted a Program of Works with the Department of Mines, Industry, Regulation and Safety for a reverse circulation (RC) drill programme for 1,500m. Drilling should begin this month or next month and will hopefully prove a historic mineral resource in compliance with JORC 2012.

Central Iron Ore CEO Brett Hodgins said the company was pleased with the start of work at Eureka. 

“This is a significant step in the revitalisation and production strategy at the…project,” he said. “Continued expansion of the Eureka pit will allow significant cost reductions in future exploration drilling and allow for an expanded Eureka operation in the short term.”