The close of the quarter saw Avoca commission its $A49.2 million Higginsville treatment facility, readying the company for its debut gold pour, which occurred when first gold was poured from the Trident deposit in early July.

Plant commissioning throughout the June quarter included the crushing of almost 33,000 wet tonnes, and the milling of more than 22,000 dry tonnes. Average mill throughput rate was 94 tonnes per hour.

Meanwhile underground development and exploration continued at Higginsville with ore production increasing throughout the quarter.

Avoca stockpiled 145,306 tonnes of ore at an estimated grade of 4 grams per tonne of gold, and 115,709t at 1.3gpt of low-grade ore.

From the Trident deposit, the company produced more than 94,000t at 4.1gpt for 12,428oz of gold with additional lower grade ore was also mined.

However the Trident gold production did not begin until the current quarter and does not form part of the June quarter results.

Other milestones for the June quarter included the completion of various infrastructure projects at Higginsville such as water supply infrastructure, the diesel and power station completion, and construction of the accommodation village and administration building.

Avoca stocks gained 8c to $1.725 before slipping to $1.715 in morning trading.