Xtract Resources (AIM:XTR) has commenced initial production at the Silverking copper-silver project in Zambia's Mumbwa District, operated through a joint venture with Oval Mining and Cooperlemon Consultancy Limited.
The copper and silver exploration and development company said joint venture operator Oval has begun processing mixed oxide-sulphide ore through a flotation plant, recently upgraded to support higher capacity.
Run-of-mine feed grades from the upper orebody are currently running between 0.80% and 1.1% copper and 11 to 68 grams per tonne silver.
Concentrate grade is fluctuating between 20% and 35% copper, with reagent trials ongoing to stabilise output at an optimised target of 28% copper.
Drilling has defined a high-grade bornite-rich vertical plug from 60 metres to at least 140 metres depth, enveloped by a chalcopyrite-rich zone projected to about 170 metres, with mineralisation remaining open at depth.
A drill intersection of 4 metres at 7.67% copper and 63.5 grams per tonne silver from 228 metres supports planned drilling to about 350 metres vertical depth.
The company is evaluating a decline to access the high-grade core, with final mine planning to follow upcoming drilling results.
