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Highlights
- Vertex Minerals reports stronger monthly gold production
- Operational improvements support higher ore volumes and grades
- Underground development continues alongside equipment upgrades
Vertex Minerals lifts gold output in March as underground development and operational improvements continue.
Vertex Minerals (ASX:VTX) has reported an increase in gold production for March, reflecting improving operational momentum at its underground project in New South Wales.
The company recorded higher output compared to the previous month, supported by increased ore volumes and improved grades from underground activities.
What drove the production increase?
Higher ore volumes and grades
The uplift in production was primarily driven by:
- Increased underground stoping activity
- Improved ore grades
- Continued contribution from development ore
A significant portion of production continues to come from development and air-leg stoping rather than long hole stoping, which remains under preparation.
Sales and inventory position
During the month, Vertex also reported:
- Increased gold sales compared to the previous period
- Additional gold held on hand at the end of the quarter
This reflects a balance between production growth and inventory management as operations scale up.
Why has development taken longer?
Challenging ground conditions
Progress underground has been impacted by ground conditions, particularly in areas that were previously submerged for an extended period.
These conditions required:
- Additional safety measures
- Reinforcement work across declines and stopes
- Slower development timelines
Ongoing underground work
To address these challenges, the company is:
- Stripping and securing underground areas
- Installing bolts, mesh, and grouting cables
- Preparing stable working zones for future stoping
This work is essential to support sustainable production growth.
What improvements are being implemented?
Equipment upgrades
Vertex is progressing several equipment initiatives, including:
- Modified rails for jumbo machines to reduce dilution
- Planned acquisition of a long hole drilling rig
- Additional underground loaders and trucks
These upgrades are expected to improve efficiency and support the transition to long hole stoping.
Optimising mining methods
The introduction of smaller drive sizes is aimed at:
- Reducing dilution
- Improving ore recovery
- Enhancing overall mining efficiency
This represents a key step in refining the mining approach.
Processing and recovery enhancements
The company has also reported improvements at its processing facility, including:
- High recovery rates from sorting technology
- Implementation of systems to capture previously missed material
These measures are designed to maximise gold recovery from processed ore.
What’s next for Vertex Minerals?
Transition to long hole stoping
Upcoming milestones include:
- Commissioning of new underground equipment
- Expansion of stoping activities
- Continued development of high-grade zones
The transition toward long hole stoping is expected to play a key role in scaling production.
Key takeaway
- Production growth reflects improving operational performance
- Underground challenges are being actively managed
- Equipment upgrades and process improvements support future output
- Transition to more efficient mining methods remains a key focus
Final thoughts
Vertex Minerals’ latest update highlights steady operational progress, with production gains supported by improved grades and ongoing development work. While underground conditions have slowed timelines, continued investment in infrastructure, equipment, and processing capabilities positions the company for further advancement in its mining activities.
