en.Wedoany.com Reported - Australia's Broken Hill Mines achieved its highest ore processing volume and plant throughput since June 2020 in the June quarter.
The company (ASX:BHM) processed a total of 119,320 tonnes of ore during the period, up 3.2% from the previous three months. Silver production surged 21.8% to approximately 96,000 ounces, zinc output rose 7% to 3,330 tonnes, while lead production edged down to 2,376 tonnes. June was the company's best monthly performance, producing 49,700 ounces of silver, 1,075 tonnes of lead, and 1,380 tonnes of zinc from approximately 50,075 tonnes of ore grading 5.6% Zn+Pb and 38g/t Ag. Full quarterly production and financial results are expected to be released in late July.
To boost production, the company has adopted a multi-source ore supply strategy to optimize throughput and grade performance at the Rasp processing plant in Broken Hill. Management noted that the strategy to improve feed grade continues to make progress, driven by increased contributions from the high-grade Main Lode orebody and the recently restarted Pinnacles mine. The restart of Pinnacles—the first since 2021—is a key milestone in BHM's plan to maximize utilization of the 750,000-tonne-per-annum Rasp processing facility located approximately 15 kilometers away.
Initial activities at Pinnacles have focused on restarting and expanding the Edwards open pit, with the goal of reducing the stripping ratio and accessing up to 50,000 tonnes of high-grade ore identified in the pit floor. Ore supply from Edwards is expected to increase in stages over the coming quarters. Edwards' potential is supported by significant silver-lead-zinc mineralization intercepts recorded by the company over the past 12 months, building on Pinnacles' historical operational focus on silver and lead only. Pinnacles has total resources of 6 million tonnes grading 132g/t silver, 3.3% lead, and 4.7% zinc, with an updated mineral resource estimate planned for release later this year.
Broken Hill Mines plans to gradually expand Edwards into the Consols South, Fishers, Rope Shaft, and Junction areas, targeting existing high-grade resources and mineralization zones extended by recent drilling. The company believes Pinnacles has significant underground potential, providing additional ore supply to support the long-term utilization of the Rasp processing plant.
