Kanmantoo copper miner Hillgrove Resources has received approval from the South Australian Government to extend the life of its mine.

The new approvals provide Kanmantoo with a 75 per cent increase in processed ore and an operational life extension to 2019, based on its current mine reserves.

It also allows access to additional copper resources located within the mining lease, 55km north-east of Adelaide.

Hillgrove chief executive officer Greg Hall said in a statement to the stock exchange today that the approvals improved employment prospects for the region.

“Finalising this process has provided a welcome degree of certainty for the current Kanmantoo mine programs and targets.

“It confirms the next stage in the planned mine life of the project, continuing employment for the local region, ongoing cashflow and potential for return of value to shareholders,” Hall said.

“Kanmantoo Copper is now commencing a review of exploration potential on its mining lease and broader regional exploration tenement as part of possible future life extensions.

“Some of this will be based on conversion of resources and exploration target ranges into reserves, and some will be reviewing the potential for new mineralised zones. Our recent acquisition of the exploration and mining option over the historical Kitticoola private mine is a step in this program.”

The company statement said the Kanmantoo copper mine continued to operate according to market guidance, with the next quarterly report update release targeted for the third week of August.

Hillgrove shares traded steadily today at 8 cents.