Alexco Resource Corp has provided an update on its mine development progress at Keno Hill. Alexco is a Canadian primary silver company that owns and operates the majority of the historic Keno Hill Silver District, in Canada’s Yukon Territory, one of the highest-grade silver deposits in the world.

Alexco is currently advancing Keno Hill to production and expects to start concentrate production and shipments in Q4 2020. As per Alexco’s 2020 pre-feasibility study, Keno Hill is expected to produce an average of approximately 4 Moz of silver per year contained in high quality lead/silver and zinc concentrates. Total production over an 8-year mine life is estimated at 1.18 Mt of ore at an average rate of 430 t per day at an average grade of 805 g/t.

Progress on site-wide capital projects including mill modifications and infrastructure improvements continues to be on pace for completion with mill commissioning and production of silver concentrate in Q4 2020. In the mill, installation of the new tailings filter press and second ball mill are 95% and 75% complete, respectively. Other mill improvement projects underway include the construction of a crusher enclosure and ventilation system, installation of two concentrate regrind mills, modification of the fine ore feeder system and upgrade of the employee dry and office facilities. Camp expansion is approximately 75% complete with the addition of two new camp accommodation units.

Rehabilitation and capital development continues on schedule at each of the three underground mines slated for initial ore production, with emphasis on the Bellekeno mine where initial ore will be used for commissioning of the mill in Q4.

All major pieces of new underground mine equipment have been delivered to site and are currently operating or are being commissioned. This new fleet includes two Caterpillar R1300 6.8 t payload LHDs, two Cat AD22 20 t class haul trucks, two Epiroc 282 twin boom jumbos, two MacLean SSB bolters and other support gear.

Ore will first be delivered from the Bellekeno mine where development to ore on the 680 level is already complete. At Flame & Moth advance of the primary ramp is underway with approximately 270 m of primary ramp and level development required to cross cut the ore on the 835 level. At the Bermingham mine, construction of the water treatment plant is underway, which is required prior to resuming ramp development.