This project drove Silver Lake’s spending to over $28 million in exploration and capital expenditure during the December quarter.

Silver Lake has relocated the Andy Well CIP infrastructure and completed earthworks at Deflector, while continuing with civil works and tank installation.

The Deflector operation is now set to finish the current financial year with a significant opportunity to deliver production and mine life growth, according to Silver Lake.

Meanwhile, the company produced less than 24,000 ounces of gold and 410 tonnes of copper at the operation for the December quarter.

Production at Silver Lake’s Mount Monger gold operation in Western Australia surpassed this, delivering 33,776 ounces during the period.

The company reported that Mount Monger’s underground mine production had been marginally higher quarter on quarter, with output of 234,712 tonnes at 4.2 grams per tonne for 31,631 ounces.

In total, the company sold 59,824 ounces of gold and 492 tonnes of copper during the December quarter.

Silver Lake is maintaining its 2021 financial year gold sales guidance at 240,000-250,000 ounces, while boosting its copper sales guidance from 1100 tonnes to 1600 tonnes, at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) range of $1400-$1500 an ounce.

It is also on track for first ore development at Deflector South West in the first quarter of the 2022 financial year.