Freehill Mining has launched Phase 1 operations at Chile's Yerbas Buenas magnetite project and expects to make its first ore sales in January 2022.
It said it worked with local Chilean contractor MTN Gold SpA (MTN) to deliver turnkey mining, crushing and ore processing services.
MTN will supply all necessary mining, crushing and processing equipment, enabling Freehill to deliver 5,000 tonnes a month of magnetite.
The company described the launch of Phase 1 operations as an "excellent development" and something that will ensure a "sustainable and profitable mining operation" at Yerbas Buenas.
Additionally, it said MTN's priority will be to take the waste rock from the mine site and set up plant and equipment to be fully operational within the next 90 days.
Paul Davies, Freeport Mining's chief executive officer, said the company is looking forward to regularly reporting on the site's progress as mining activities accelerate.
