Ravenswood expansion granted ‘prescribed project’ status

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Gold miner Resolute Mining’s proposed A$167-million expansion of its Ravenswood mine has been granted prescribed project status by Queensland State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham.

Prescribed project status means the independent Coordinator-General can help Resolute navigate government approvals and cut red tape.

“Resolute’s proposed expansion at Ravenswood gold mine could extend the mine’s life by 13 years, ensuring 280 existing jobs continue and creating 100 construction jobs,” Lynham said.

The expansion proposes a long-life large-scale return to openpit mining at the Sarsfield and Buck Reef West deposits, and could extend the mine life to at least 2029.

The expansion project feasibility study has estimated that average yearly gold production of 120 000 oz could be achieved, with the capital investment tipped at A$134-million for prestripping and staged processing plant expansion to five-million tonnes a year from 2.8-million tonnes a year at the end of October.

Resolute’s existing Mount Wright underground mine is due for closure next year.

The miner is currently working with the Queensland government to achieve an amended environmental authority for the Sarsfield openpit by late 2016. This is the final approval required to allow mining activities to restart at the pit.

The miner has also started the formal approvals process for the Buck Reef West project, all of which are likely be obtained by mid-2018.