The Hellyer Pb-Zn-Ag orebody in western Tasmania was discovered in 1983, and mine production at a rate of 250 000 tonnes/yr commenced in 1987._x000D_
Expansion to 1 million/yr will be completed by early 1989. Exploratory development to gain access to the orebody, to provide a 20 000 tonne bulk sample for pilot plant work and to confirm mining conditions and orebody continuity was undertaken using conventional drill and blast techniques and large diesel trackless equipment. A ventilation shaft was raisebored. Development in this phase totalled 2 815 m and provided a sound basis for rapid expansion of the mine.