Polymetals Resources has announced the commencement of continuous production of saleable silver-lead and zinc concentrates from its Endeavor mine in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Following an eight-month refurbishment programme, the Endeavor processing plant is now operational.

The processing plant has a capacity of 1.2 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) and features a two-stage crushing plant, three ball mills, a lead/zinc flotation circuit, thickeners, filtration, chemical, and concentrate storage facilities.

The company will export zinc concentrate in parcels, each weighing 10,000 dry metric tonnes (dmt), from Berth 29 in Adelaide, with initial silver-lead concentrate exports in 5,000dmt parcels.

Polymetals executive chairman Dave Sproule said: “We are delighted with the completion of the Endeavor mill refurbishment. Milling operations are settling down well and we are addressing various maintenance issues as they arise.

“Pre-payment against holding certificates has been arranged with Ocean Partners to assist with working capital needs. The site continues to mill medium-grade ore whilst optimising processing to receive increasing primary feed grade and high-grade silver ore in the coming months.”

Located 40km north of Cobar in central-western NSW, the Endeavor mine is an underground operation in the Cobar Basin, second in size only to the CSA Copper mine. The mine was acquired by Polymetals in 2023.

The Endeavor project has a fully equipped underground base metal mine, operationally ready with a 7km decline, a 300m shaft with an associated headframe, winder, underground crusher, and all necessary pumping, safety, and related equipment.

The site also includes extensive mine development. Infrastructure at the mine includes a sealed access road, active rail infrastructure, grid power, and a secure water supply.

In February, Polymetals Resources secured firm commitments to raise A$35m in equity to support the restart of the Endeavor mine.