The dilution has been caused by the larger drive opening aligning with two other structures, which has led to wedges falling out.

This meant more tonnes mined and a corresponding reduction in grade.

However, the gold produced has been consistent with the face samples taken during the development of the drive. A full reconciliation will be done at the completion of processing.

A design review is being completed for level three onwards, which involves the use of traditional narrow vein mining techniques.
This includes using narrower drives and split firing the ore.

Anova expects this will reduce the dilution and result in stopes coming out closer to design as the wedges exposed will be much smaller.

It should mean significantly fewer tonnes being produced from both the development and production ore.

The review is to be completed once gold produced from level 2 is finalised and reconciled with the block model predictions.

Stockpiles of Second Fortune ore from levels 1 and 2 are being sent to the Burbanks Mill for processing.

The first milling campaign is due to be finished in mid-July.

Sorting of development ore was successfully trialled, although elevated fines quantities meant less material was sorted than had been planned.

Stope ore was direct shipped to the processing plant.

Anova has entered into negotiations with GBF Underground Mining, the contractor for the first campaign, to restart mining activities on the lower levels of the deposit.