For January, the miner produced 13,534 ounces with a progressive increase in average head grade to 1.3 grams per tonne and an average recovery for the month of 92.2%.
It has resolved minor issues with the processing circuit and crusher that impacted production early in the month, with the mill starting February operating at an annualised 4.8 million tonnes per annum.
It is targeting steady progress to above 5Mtpa.
In the KOTH pit the miner has caught up with its plan after earlier delays, and the mining fleet is now digging into three large ore zones containing an estimated 345,000t grading 1.2gpt that should provide the bulk of mill throughput for the rest of the quarter.
Given positive grade control results relative to the reserve model, reconciliation could be above plan.
Production will be boosted by high-grade ore from its Darlot underground to the north, where mining is now predominantly in fresh ore and delivering more predictable material.
Red 5 said the 16-month accelerated development plan ended, and its contractor had demobilised.
While everything looks positive, Red 5 is sticking with its guidance of between 90,000-105,000oz at all-in sustaining costs of A$1750-1950/oz.
