VANCOUVER, BC, May 8, 2024 /CNW/ - Entrée Resources Ltd. (TSX:ETG) (OTCQB:ERLFF) – the "Company" or "Entrée") has today filed its interim financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. All numbers are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted. Q1 2024 HIGHLIGHTS Oyu Tolgoi Underground Development Update The Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia includes two separate land holdings: the Oyu Tolgoi mining licence, which is held by Oyu Tolgoi LLC ("OTLLC") and the Entrée/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property, which is a joint venture partnership between Entrée and OTLLC. Rio Tinto owns 66% of OTLLC and is the manager of operations at Oyu Tolgoi. On April 17, 2024, Rio Tinto announced ramp up of the Oyu Tolgoi Lift 1 underground mine continues in line with its long-term plan. Oyu Tolgoi is set to become the world's fourth largest copper mine by 2030 with the operation expected to deliver average mined copper production of ~500 thousand tonnes per annum between 2028 and 2036. OTLLC continues to see strong performance from the Lift 1 underground mine, with a total of 99 Lift 1 draw bells opened from Panel 0 on the Oyu Tolgoi mining licence, including 13 draw bells during the quarter ended March 31, 2024. In the first quarter 2024, OTLLC delivered 1.3 million tonnes of ore milled from Panel 0 on the Oyu Tolgoi mining licence at an average copper head grade of 1.67%. Shaft sinking continued during the first quarter 2024. At the end of March, Shafts 3 and 4 reached 1,076 metres and 1,150 metres below ground level, respectively. Final depths required for Shafts 3 and 4 are 1,130 metres and 1,176 metres below ground level, respectively. Shaft 4 breakthrough (sinking completion) was achieved in early April. Rio Tinto continues to expect both shafts to be commissioned in the second half 2024. As at March 31, 2024, construction of the conveyor to surface works was 94% complete. Commissioning remains on track for the second half 2024. Construction works for the concentrator conversion remain on schedule. Commissioning is expected to be progressively completed from the fourth quarter 2024 through to the second quarter 2025. Construction of primary crusher 2 commenced in December 2023 and is due to be completed by the end of 2025. OTLLC's 2023 Oyu Tolgoi Feasibility Study ("OTFS23") for the Lift 1 underground mine has been submitted to and is under review by applicable regulatory bodies in Mongolia. The Lift 1 underground mine incorporates the development of three panels (Panels 0, 1, and 2). The Hugo North Extension ("HNE") deposit on the Entrée/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property is located at the northern portion of Panel 1. Drilling programs to support a Lift 2 Pre-Feasibility Study are in progress. Mineralization from Lift 2 will be included in an updated resource model for Hugo North (including Hugo North Extension). Entrée/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property First Lift 1 Panel 1 development work on the Shivee Tolgoi mining licence is expected to commence in the fourth quarter 2024. Development work will start in the southwest corner of the HNE deposit and will establish the initial Panel 1 western ore handling truck chute, including extraction level tipple development, the truck chute chamber on the haulage level, and the supporting ventilation loop with the return air level. OTLLC has advised the Company all 2024 development will be in rock classified as waste, which will be stockpiled separately and sampled in accordance with OTLLC's standard sampling protocols and procedures. Underground and surface in-fill diamond drilling at the Hugo North Extension deposit on the Shivee Tolgoi mining licence is in progress. Approximately 14,128 metres of underground drilling in 25 holes and 6,840 metres of surface drilling in 4 holes is planned for 2024. To date, approximately 4,475 metres of underground drilling in 13 holes and approximately 1,012 metres of surface drilling in 1 hole has been completed. The principal purpose for the drilling is to support the Lift 2 Pre-Feasibility Study and updated resource model for Hugo North (including Hugo North Extension). OTLLC is also proposing approximately 8,785 metres of diamond drilling in 5 surface holes on the Heruga deposit (Javhlant mining licence) in 2024 to increase ore body knowledge and support an Order of Magnitude Study. No drilling has been conducted on the Heruga deposit since 2008.  The 2024 exploration program planned for the Shivee Tolgoi mining licence will focus on the Airstrip, Ulaan Khud South and Ridge targets, including approximately 2,500 metres of diamond drilling in 2 inclined holes (one at Ulaan Khud South (~1,300 metres) and the other at the Ridge target (~1,200 metres), located midway between Ulaan Khud and Hugo North Extension) and geological and geophysical studies. On the Javhlant mining licence, work will be conducted on the Bumbat Ulaan target and the Heruga Trend (Heruga South and Heruga West targets). One diamond drill hole is planned for each of the Heruga South (~1,300 metres) and Heruga West (~600 metres) targets as well as geological and geophysical studies. At Bumbat Ulaan, approximately 1,200 metres of scout reverse circulation drilling in 4 holes is planned. Corporate For the Q1 2024 period, the Company's operating loss was $1.1 million compared to $0.9 million in Q1 2023.  The increase was mainly due to legal costs for both commercial negotiations with OTLLC and Rio Tinto and the arbitration proceedings. For the Q1 2024 period, the operating cash outflow before changes in non-cash working capital items was $1.0 million compared to $0.7 million in Q1 2023. As at March 31, 2024, the cash balance was $5.1 million and the working capital balance was $4.9 million. OUTLOOK AND STRATEGY Entrée's primary objective is to confirm the transfer of the Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant mining licences from the Company's Mongolian subsidiary to OTLLC as contemplated by the joint venture agreement between the Company and OTLLC (the "Entrée/Oyu Tolgoi JVA"), either in conjunction with finalization, execution, and closing ...