The Vancouver-headquartered company said underground development was also nearing the targeted 1,000 metres per month, where it was expected to remain for the rest of the year as mining rates were matched with increased mill capacity.

Meanwhile, Pretium said it was confident its ongoing 70,000m underground drill programme would successfully expand reserves at the Valley of the Kings. Initial observations from the third hole drilled as part of the 2019 deep underground exploration programme continued to indicate Brucejack-style mineralisation extended at depth.

The first phase is focusing on reserve definition below the 1,200m-level and is about 90% complete. The second phase would aim to define mineralisation to the west towards the Brucejack fault, which was about 55% finished, the company said.

Underground development is underway for the next two drilling phases.

Pretium (TSX:PVG) shares added C18c or 1.35% on Tuesday to close at $13.51, capitalising the company at $2.5 billion.