Vertex Minerals Limited has provided an update on its Reward Mine development, announcing that its engineering and geological teams have successfully identified two additional stope blocks suitable for early production. The newly confirmed stopes, developed by a previous operator, have undergone extensive investigations, including physical inspections and geotechnical assessments. A total of 97 face samples were collected in the vicinity and assayed for gold, with sample data diluted to a minimum mining width of 1.5 meters. This technical confirmation meets JORC Code requirements and ensures that the stopes are fully developed and accessible. The identified stope blocks form a part of the 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate and include an Inferred Resource of 2,075 tonnes at an average grade of 17.8 grams of gold per tonne. Notably, the lower block features over 700 tonnes at a higher grade of 42.5 grams per tonne, translating to approximately 1,189 ounces of contained gold. Although these stopes were not included in the 2024 Pre-Feasibility Study production forecast due to previous complexities around mine access and ground conditions, the current update confirms that operational challenges have largely been resolved. Vertex Minerals Limited plans to incorporate these zones into the overall mine schedule once the required mine services, such as dewatering and establishment of declines, are operational. The additional stope blocks are expected to contribute significantly to early mill feed, bolstering production during the underground production start-up phase. The company’s approach—employing airleg mining techniques—aims to augment jumbo production from the additional high-grade resource. Technical indicators and design parameters remain consistent with earlier announcements, lending further credibility to the project’s potential for high-grade expansion at an early stage. In terms of market sentiment, the technical advancements and confirmation of high-grade, fully developed stopes signal a bullish outlook for the project. Investors may view this as a positive step toward early revenue generation and operational stability, with the rigorous sampling and geotechnical assessments enhancing confidence in the resource quality. Conversely, there are bearish considerations; the successful exploitation of these stopes remains contingent on the timely establishment of mine services and the resolution of any operational delays. These dependencies could pose challenges to achieving the projected production timelines, which might weigh on investor sentiment over the short term.