OPERATIONS

Diamond Creek marks first ore dispatch

Keras Resources has confirmed first commercial production of -10 mesh (-2 millimetre) of organic phosphate from its Diamond Creek high-grade direct shipping ore (DSO) operation in Utah, US has been shipped to a customer.

 Keras' Diamond Creek project in Utah, US

Keras' Diamond Creek project in Utah, US

While the customer was not named in the update report released September 3, the miner said it continues to make progress at Diamond Creek. It expects to finish full upgrades to the mine's access roads and a lay-down area for its run-of-mine ore within days.

Additionally, following a new deal inked with Falcon Isle Holdings that could give it rights to a 51% controlling interest in the mine, Keras said a new crushing, milling and screening plant is on order and fabrication has begun. The facility will be owned and operated by Falcon.

Its plans also include an increase in year one ROM production of 50% to 7,500 tonnes, ensuring winter product.

Management will also visit and evaluate Keras' Nayéga Manganese mine in Togo, West Africa, this month, where the restart of exploration work is imminent.

"We are now a month into the Diamond Creek acquisition and during that month, in addition to the significant progress on infrastructure, we have mined, toll-processed and dispatched our first high-grade DSO organic phosphate," CEO Russell Lamming said.

With regards to Nayéga, he added, returning the mine to work after a lockdown for COVID-19 is encouraging.

"I look forward to updating the market with developments relating to both our Diamond Creek mine and Nayéga manganese project in due course."

Diamond Creek, located 70km southeast of Salt Lake City, first recorded commercial production in late July.

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