While the capex has increased from the A$67 million estimated last September to $78 million, lead-zinc-silver production has increased from 33,000t, 22,000t and 972,000 ounces respectively to 36,000t, 30,500t and 1.07 million oz.

A pre-tax net present value of A226 million and internal rate of return of 91% compares to the previous numbers of $212 million and 102% respectively, with the payback period still 2.2 years.

Unless something drastic happens, New Century is set to commit to the Silver King and East Fault Block developments in the second half of the year.

Production is then expected in the second half of 2023.

The current period looks super-busy for management at New Century, given it is also looking closely at becoming a copper miner at Mt Lyell.

Further, the company recently flagged an upcoming unveiling of a "tailings asset management" division.

Meanwhile, on the back of strong metal pricing New Century generated record operational cashflow in the March quarter of $40 million.

A big production quarter was flagged for the June period, with the reprocessing operation having forecast output in the current financial year of 110,000-130,000t of contained zinc.

At the end of March New Century had no debt and available cash and concentrate of $123 million.

Shares in New Century were up 5% to $2.04 in late morning trade, capitalising the company at $267 million.