Vertex Minerals Begins First Production Firing at Reward Gold Mine
Vertex Minerals has initiated the first production firing of its trial longhole open stope in Decline 3 at the Reward Gold Mine, located in Hill End, New South Wales. This marks a strategic shift from traditional airleg stoping to mechanized longhole mining methods as part of efforts to improve productivity and reduce costs. The trial is situated on the high-grade Mica 1 lens and features an 8m slot rise. Initial ore screening revealed high-grade quartz with visible gold, consistent with previous production levels at the site. The company has also undertaken extensive preparatory work, including dewatering and ground stabilization measures to address poor conditions caused by prolonged inundation. Vertex aims to reduce dilution by over 20% using a modified jumbo drill setup ahead of receiving its dedicated Resemin Muki longhole rig in September 2026. The trial is expected to provide critical operational data for scaling mechanized mining methods at the mine, supporting future gold production growth.