The Barruecopardo tungsten joint venture project in Spain, owned 70% by Oak Tree Capital Management LP and 30% by Ormonde Mining PLC, is planning to mine higher-grade ore sources in the near term after the initial ore feed from the northern starter pit returned grades that were lower than expected.

Ormonde said May 23 that the joint venture has brought forward open pit mining at the higher-grade southern starter pit.

Meanwhile, the process plant is achieving throughput rates of up to 190 tonnes per hour after commissioning, in line with the target.

The joint venture will also accelerate the waste stripping of the east wall of the historical pit to bring forward access to the main orebody situated below the pit, the company noted.