Broken Hill Mines Commences High Grade Mining at Historic Main Lode

Broken Hill Mines Limited (ASX: BHM) has officially commenced mining and processing of high grade ore from the Blackwoods ore body within its historic Main Lode at the Rasp Mine, marking the first underground activity on the lode since the mid 1970s.

The Blackwoods operation is delivering an immediate feed of high grade silver, lead, and zinc ore into the Rasp processing plant. This comes at a time when the global silver price is pushing toward record territory, recently approaching US$50 per ounce, giving BHM additional exposure to precious metal upside.

The initial mining activities, which were originally scheduled for November 2025, have been brought forward. The accelerated schedule means the company will now ramp up ore feed from Blackwoods throughout FY26, with stoping operations expected in the first quarter of calendar 2026 following further project approval expansions.

Recent drill results from the Main Lode have turned heads with exceptionally high grade assays. Notable intercepts include:

• 2.1 metres at 62.5 percent zinc equivalent, including 422 grams per tonne silver, 26.8 percent lead, and 21.4 percent zinc

• 4.3 metres at 57.0 percent zinc equivalent, including 473 grams per tonne silver, 19.6 percent lead, and 19.5 percent zinc

• 5.6 metres at 35.9 percent zinc equivalent with 259 grams per tonne silver and significant lead and zinc grades

These results come from zones outside the existing Mineral Resource Estimate, potentially pointing to a much larger mineralised system than previously defined.

The Blackwoods feed will complement ongoing production from the Western Mineralisation, helping to maximise throughput at BHM’s 750,000 tonnes per annum Rasp processing plant. The two ore bodies sit along the renowned 'Line of Lode' in the centre of Broken Hill, a region synonymous with high grade polymetallic deposits for over 140 years.

Executive Chair Patrick Walta said the recommencement of mining at Main Lode represents a major strategic milestone. “This is a pivotal development in our operational roadmap. The grades and scale we are seeing at Blackwoods are very encouraging and the early start allows us to optimise the value of our processing infrastructure sooner than planned.”

With the Main Lode now back in production and silver prices climbing, Broken Hill Mines is positioning itself as a revitalised player in one of Australia’s most historic mining districts.