Kingston Resources (ASX: KSN) has brought copper concentrate production forward at its Mineral Hill mine in New South Wales after completing a successful processing trial on underground ore.
The trial used an initial 6,000 tonnes of low-grade copper and gold ore to produce a saleable concentrate grading more than 20% copper.
Copper recovery reached 88% and gold recovery reached 74%, giving Kingston an early processing benchmark before full-scale underground ore treatment begins.
The result adds copper to Mineral Hill’s existing gold and silver production profile and brings first copper sales forward by a quarter.
Underground Restart Advances Ahead Of Plan
Kingston restarted underground development at Mineral Hill last quarter after underground operations had been closed since 2015.
The latest trial marks the first processing of underground copper ore through the Mineral Hill plant since that restart and confirms the site can handle base metal concentrate production.
The trial was designed to familiarise plant operators with base metal concentrates, optimise the processing flow sheet, test reagents, identify plant adjustments, and generate concentrate samples for offtake discussions.
Chief executive officer Andrew Corbett said the early trial had delivered important benefits, and that the plant would revert to processing open pit ore through to August/September.
“This provides the underground team with the time required to continue development and ramp up toward long hole stoping, which is expected to commence later this quarter,” he explained.
Copper to Add Revenue Diversity
Mineral Hill is now evolving from a gold and silver producer into a multi-commodity operation with exposure to copper.
Kingston has a plan for the mine through to the end of 2031 covering both open-pit and underground mining, with the operating plant capable of producing multiple concentrates and precious metal doré.
The company sees substantial upside from its current mineral resource base, with measured and indicated resources comprising 60% of the 10-million-tonne resource and providing scope for further ore reserve conversion.
Kingston believes the early copper concentrate milestone strengthens Mineral Hill’s production profile and improves revenue diversification as it works toward becoming a mid-tier gold and base metals company.
