Catalyst Metals (ASX:CYL) said that development drives started at its existing underground mine Plutonic East, with the first ore expected this quarter, according to a Tuesday filing with the Australian bourse.

The development drives will proceed with dewatering, rehabilitation, and grade control drilling of the mine, the filing said.

An underground diamond drill rig at the mine will transition to resource in-fill drilling, aimed at increasing both the indicated and inferred resources, and ultimately the mine life at Plutonic East, the filing added.

The ore will be processed at the Plutonic processing plant and the mine's redevelopment remains on schedule and within budget, per the filing.

The company's shares were up over 4% in recent Tuesday trade.