The $1.1 million investment focused on installing a new braking system alongside comprehensive mechanical and electrical control upgrades. These improvements allow the shaft to operate safely at higher throughput levels, setting the stage for a projected 50% increase in average daily ore production to 650 tons by the end of 2026.

Management reports that the combined effects of the first and second phases have effectively doubled the site's hoisting capacity. The shaft can now handle over 85 short tons per hour on a regular basis, with peak performance reaching 105 short tons per hour, a sharp rise from the previous 42-ton benchmark. Once fully optimized, the upgraded infrastructure is expected to provide a total daily hoisting capacity of approximately 1,350 tons.