Vertex Minerals edges closer to revenue as first gold from plant commissioning readied for sale

Vertex Minerals (ASX: VTX), an Australia-based gold exploration company, is making significant progress in commissioning its gravity processing plant as it prepares to bring its first gold to market. The company has commenced the tabling of gold concentrate, marking a crucial step toward production. The material processed during commissioning has produced both coarse and fine gold, reinforcing confidence in the plant’s ability to recover high-value gold efficiently.

With the gravity plant now operational, Vertex Minerals has the flexibility to sell gold in concentrate form or as doré bars. The company plans to disclose final weights and grades once the gold has been sold. This development signals an important milestone as Vertex Minerals transitions from commissioning to commercial production.

What Challenges Has Vertex Minerals Encountered in the Commissioning Process?

Commissioning a gold processing plant comes with inherent challenges, and Vertex Minerals has encountered obstacles related to the composition of the stockpiled material. The breakdown of this material has led to intermittent blockages, temporarily hindering the commissioning process. However, the technical team has been proactive in addressing these setbacks by implementing targeted solutions to optimize plant performance.

To improve operational efficiency, Vertex Minerals has installed a pre-screening scalper to reduce fine particles from entering the system. Additionally, the company is integrating a centrifuge to extract slimes and fines from the process water, ensuring that material flows more smoothly through the plant. These adjustments are expected to enhance recovery rates and support the plant’s overall performance as it moves toward steady-state operations.

The processing challenges have been largely attributed to the weathered nature of surface stockpile material, which has been exposed to environmental conditions over time. This factor has contributed to a higher concentration of fines in the material, impacting its behavior during processing. However, Vertex Minerals has clarified that this issue is confined to surface stockpiles and is not expected to affect the primary ore sourced from the Reward gold mine. Unlike the stockpile material, the fresh ore from Reward is unweathered and will present fewer complications during processing.

How Does Gold Recovery Compare to Previous Test Work?

Recent sampling of the processed stockpile material has confirmed an average gold grade of 2.40 grams per tonne (g/t), aligning with prior test work and bulk sampling data. The consistency in grade reaffirms the reliability of earlier assessments and supports expectations for future production. The gravity-based recovery process has demonstrated its ability to extract gold effectively, even as the plant continues to be fine-tuned.

The company remains focused on optimizing plant operations to maximize efficiency and ensure that recovery rates meet or exceed industry standards. The performance of the processing plant during commissioning provides valuable insights into the expected output once full-scale mining operations commence at the Reward gold mine.

What Are the Next Steps for Vertex Minerals as It Approaches Commercial Production?

With gold concentrate now being prepared for sale, Vertex Minerals is nearing a key revenue milestone. The ability to produce saleable gold during the commissioning phase highlights the plant’s potential for sustained production growth. As the company fine-tunes its operations, further enhancements to the processing plant are expected to improve throughput and recovery rates.

The market will be watching closely for updates on sales figures and operational performance as Vertex Minerals transitions from commissioning to full production. Investors and industry stakeholders will also be looking for insights into how the company’s processing strategies will impact overall gold output in the long term.

As Vertex Minerals moves forward, the completion of plant commissioning will pave the way for increased efficiency and higher-grade production. With the Reward gold mine in New South Wales set to deliver fresh, high-quality ore, the company is well-positioned to strengthen its presence in the gold sector.