Metals X Ltd.'s and Greentech Technology International Ltd.'s 50/50 joint venture, Bluestone Mines Tasmania Joint Venture, started the commissioning of its new crushing and ore sorting facility at the Renison tin mine in Tasmania, Australia.

The ore sorting is expected to increase annual tin production at Renison by 15% to 20%, according to the July 3 release.

The company said July 3 that it now plans to increase underground ore production to about 920,000 tonnes per annum, while maintaining the processing plant at about 720,000 tonnes per annum.

The new purpose-built three stage crushing, screening and ore sorting plant was constructed at a capital cost of about A$15 million, and has an estimated payback of under 10 months at current tin prices.

"The operation is now well setup for the long term future, with increased production capacity and additional flexibility to allow the BMTJV to exploit the large resource base at Renison," the company wrote.