中文译文生成中，先为你显示原文。
SKY Metals has launched a major drilling campaign at its Tallebung tin-tungsten-silver project in New South Wales, targeting an extension to the mine life outlined in its pre-feasibility study as it advances towards a final investment decision in 2027.
The program includes more than 150 planned reverse circulation drill holes, with additional diamond drilling targeting resource growth and the conversion of inferred mineralisation into higher-confidence categories.
The work follows an August pre-feasibility study (PFS) that outlined a 7.3-year open-cut operation, incorporating 66 per cent of Tallebung’s existing mineral resource.
Speaking following the study’s release, SKY Metals managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) Oliver Davies said further drilling could strengthen the project’s development outlook.
“Importantly, we see outstanding potential to further enhance the outcomes of the PFS, with only 66 per cent of the current global mineral resource base at Tallebung currently included in the PFS mine plan,” Davies said.
“Drilling is now underway to upgrade the plus-11Mt of inferred resources not included in this study for inclusion in ongoing optimisation studies, as well as to expand the resource beyond the existing envelope.”
The study proposed a three-million-tonne-per-annum operation producing an average of 2040 tonnes of tin, 31,700 metric tonne units of tungsten trioxide and 315,000 ounces of silver annually.
Recent diamond drilling has returned further shallow mineralisation, including 17m at 0.70 per cent tin, 0.03 per cent tungsten trioxide and 14.8 grams per tonne silver from 26m. The intersection included 4m at 2.44 per cent tin, 0.06 per cent tungsten trioxide and 28 grams per tonne silver from 28m.
Coarse wolframite mineralisation has also been identified in two additional diamond holes, although assay results are still pending.
Tallebung’s updated mineral resource stands at 32.7 million tonnes grading 0.16 per cent tin equivalent, containing 36,800 tonnes of tin, approximately 1.14 million metric tonne-units of tungsten trioxide, and 9.94 million ounces of silver.
SKY said it is targeting mining approval in late 2027 and first production in mid-2028, subject to the completion of the necessary development and financing milestones.
The company plans to advance its definitive feasibility study, environmental approvals and financing discussions during the December quarter, alongside further exploration at Tallebung and the nearby Theirman Mines prospect.
Subscribe to Australian Mining and receive the latest news on product announcements, industry developments, commodities and more.