(Sharecast News) - Galantas Gold Corporation reported on Wednesday that the Omagh gold-mine processing plant had commenced operating on feed from underground development of the Kearney gold vein.The AIM-traded firm said the processing plant had the benefit of a recent upgrade to some sections, and was expected to operate part-time until production stoping commenced, anticipated late in 2018 or early in 2019.It explained that stoping is the bulk mining of mineralised vein material between levels developed on vein.The plant operated a froth flotation system for the production of a gold-silver concentrate.Galantas said that process removed the sulphide minerals and gold, and concentrated them into a product suitable for smelter treatment.The concentrate was then exported, via Belfast port, to a smelter, with the process said to be "environmentally safe" and operating without the use of cyanide reagents."This is another important milestone successfully and safely achieved and I look forward to our expected ramp up in development production," said Galantas Gold president and chief executive officer Roland Phelps.