Gold Road Resources (ASX: GOR) has confirmed that first gold from the world-class Gruyere mine development is on track for the June 2019 quarter with project engineering at 96% and overall construction done to 71%. Construction of Gruyere’s process plant and associated infrastructure is 57% complete. Gold Road owns 50% of Gruyere, a $621 million development based on the six-million ounce greenfields gold discovery in WA’s north-eastern Goldfields.
Highlights
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First gold production schedule remains on target for June 2019 quarter
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As at 30 September 2018
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overall Project engineering was 96% complete
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overall Project construction was 71% complete
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and EPC construction (process plant and associated infrastructure) was 57% complete
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SAG and Ball mill shells installed
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First stage ROM pad civil works completed with primary crusher assembly commenced
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Gruyere powerhouse commissioning underway, with first electricity supply due November 2018
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Development of the mine workshops and support facilities complete
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Mining fleet and operations team mobilisation in progress for commencement of mining operations November 2018
Gold Road Resources Limited (Gold Road) and Gruyere Mining Company Pty Ltd, a member of the Gold Fields Limited group (Gold Fields), provide an update on the construction activities at the Gruyere Gold Project (Project), which is being developed as a 50:50 Joint Venture approximately 200 kilometres east of Laverton in Western Australia.
The project remains on schedule for first gold in the June 2019 quarter. There has been good progress on the Project’s construction during the September 2018 quarter with more than 630 workers now on site. Supportive weather conditions have allowed the Project team, EPC contractor Amec Foster Wheeler Civmec Joint Venture (ACJV), and mining services contractor Downer EDI Mining Pty Ltd (Downer) to advance Gruyere’s development to keep the Project on track to produce first gold in the June 2019 quarter.
Gold Fields Executive Vice President Australasia, Stuart Mathews, said: “Construction of the Gruyere Gold Project, and preparations for the commencement of operations are progressing well, and we have welcomed the opportunity to recently showcase the quality of the Project to a broad group of stakeholders. Our own workforce, together with our contractorpartners, are motivated to achieve the first gold production target next year, whilst maintaining continued focus on safety and quality.”
Gold Road Managing Director and CEO, Duncan Gibbs, said: “As the new Managing Director and CEO, I have visited and been well briefed on progress at Gruyere. It is clear from my observations and discussions with both the Gold Fields and Gold Road teams that this worldclass, longlife gold mine development will deliver significant and sustained value for our shareholders into the future. I look forward to providing future updates on Gruyere’s development as we approach the firstgold production target. I also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the transformational and, indeed, inspirational efforts of my predecessor Ian Murray in delivering Gold Road to this highly prospective phase.”
Construction Progress Overall
Project engineering and construction were 96% and 71% complete respectively, with EPC (process plant and associated infrastructure) construction 57% complete as at 30 September 2018.
During the September 2018 quarter, ACJV completed the remaining concrete foundation works (approximately 21,500 cubic metres of concrete poured since start of construction) and finalised the installation of the SAG and Ball mill shells, ends and trunnions. CIL steel tankage construction is complete. Construction efforts are currently focused on structural steel erection with steel fabrication nearing completion. Reticulation of the electrical cabling and piping in and around the process plant is underway.