Galena Mining Limited announced assay results from the first exploration holes drilled from underground at the Abra Mine have been received. The holes were drilled in Fourth Quarter 2022 as dual-purpose holes for both exploration (previously identified target) and geotechnical evaluation (underground development planning). Assays associated with these holes have been received after the release of the December quarter activities report.

Prior to these holes, underground drilling has been focused on grade control and resource conversion to support Abra mine production planning for 2023. A total of 122 underground drill holes have been completed in 2022 and the company is currently updating the geology and mining models in the areas where this drilling has occurred. Results and geological confidence associated with the drilling completed to date is considered positive in relation to the previous work.

The Abra mine successfully achieved its first concentrate production on 12 January 2023. Over 1,000t of saleable concentrate has been produced during plant commissioning to date and the project remains on target to achieve first concentrate shipment in Q1, 2023. Two new drillholes (22AUD0159 and 0160) were drilled in October 2022, adjacent to a historical intercept drilled by Abra Mining Limited in 2007 (AB41).

The new holes confirm the presence of Abra style mineralisation north of the Abra fault. Including the historical hole, the three holes are spread over an area of 300m (east-west) and 100m (north-south). They are approximately 200m from the current Abra Deposit and 100m from the proposed Abra decline infrastructure.