29Metals Limited has reported its results for the September 2025 quarter, outlining plans to access alternate ore sources while it works to resume activity at the Xantho Extended orebody.
29Metals chief executive officer (CEO) James Palmer acknowledged the company had faced challenges at its Golden Grove mining area due to the impact of seismic activity, which had led to restricted access to the Xantho Extended orebody.
“Putting safety first, we have temporarily ceased mining from Xantho Extended whilst we implement a plan to safely and sustainably reestablish mining in that section of Gossan Hill,” Palmer said.
Importantly, no injuries were reported as a result of the seismic activity. The company reported group total recordable injury frequency (TRIF) 5.4 (down from the June quarter 6.3); group lost time injury frequency (LTIF) 0.0 (down from the June quarter 1.3); and zero lost time injuries recorded over the 12 months to quarter end.
The company said that upgraded ground support standards to previously impacted areas of Xantho Extended have performed as designed.
“Subject to finalisation of investigations and external review, it is expected that production at Xantho Extended will be reestablished within the next six months upon implementation of further ground support upgrades and other controls,” the company said.
Palmer said alongside shoring up safety initiatives, the company was pressing forward with alternative plans to keep production on track.
“In the interim, alternate Gossan Hill ore sources will be accessed to fill the mill, including from Tryall and Oizon where high-grade copper drill intercepts reported during the quarter highlighted the ongoing potential for mine life extensions,” Palmer said.
“Commencement of the box cut excavation was a key milestone for the Gossan Valley project during the quarter, which remains on track for first ore by end of 2026,” he said.
The company reported September quarter copper production for Golden Grove of 5.8kt, slightly up from the June quarter result of 5.6kt. It reported zinc production of 2.0kt, down from the June quarter amount of 12.3kt, attributable to the temporary closure of Xantho Extended.
The company said its revised 2025 guidance for zinc and precious metals assumes alternate Gossan Hill ore sources to Xantho Extended for the remainder of 2025, with no change to 2025 copper production guidance.
Another positive for the company was the reporting of high-grade copper drilling intercepts that pointed to mine life extensions at Gossan Hill and Cervantes’ potential as a high-quality future growth option.
In the meantime, the company’s Capricorn Copper project was making steady progress towards a restart to production.
Palmer said the on-ground team continued to make good progress on water level reductions and regulatory approvals required to enable a future successful and sustainable restart of operations.
“We have achieved 1.5 gigalitres of water reductions since suspension of operations and submitted an application for a new tailings storage facility during the quarter.”
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