White River's new mine is touting a major milestone: commercial production.
In an update on operations at the Sugar Zone Mine, Harte Gold says commercial production has been achieved as of January 1st - only three months after receiving the needed permits.
The Sugar Zone Mill's been operating consistently at the permitted 575 tonnes per day since commissioning, averaging a 90.8 percent gold recovery rate for December - expected to improve during the transition to commercial operation.
While 16,400 tonnes were processed at the mill last month, Harte Gold says stockpiles are estimated to contain about 19,500 tonnes at an average grade over 5 grams per tonne, while underground mining's accelerating.
Harte Gold's working on a yearly budget and life of mine plan, which it expects to improve overall economics, forming the basis of a feasibility study expected in the first quarter of the year.