Gold Road Resources (ASX: GOR) has achieved an important milestone with the granting of environmental approval for the Gruyere Gold Project, a joint venture with Gold Fields Ltd. The approval, received from Environment Minister Albert Jacob, clears the path for secondary approvals being assessed by the Department of Mines and Petroleum and the Department of Environmental Regulation. Geoff Cowie has been appointed construction manager for the project.
HIGHLIGHTS
- WA Minister for Environment provides environmental approval
- Project Construction Manager appointed
- First 100 rooms of Construction Camp installed
- Project Management team successfully transitioned
Gold Road Resources Limited (Gold Road or the Company) is pleased to provide an update on construction progress at the Gruyere Gold Project, a 50:50 Joint Venture with Gold Fields Ltd (Gold Fields), located 200 kilometres east of Laverton in Western Australia.
Permitting and Approvals
Permitting and approvals for the Gruyere Gold Project (the Project) remains on schedule, with environmental approval now received from the Minister for Environment Hon. Albert Jacob MLA.
Approval of the Project under Ministerial Statement 1048, subject to certain conditions, is the precursor to secondary approvals now being assessed by the Department of Mines and Petroleum, and Department of Environment Regulation.
Gold Road Managing Director and CEO Ian Murray said: “Achieving environmental approval is an important milestone and clears the path for the Project’s Mining Proposal, Project Management Plan and Works approvals, all of which have been submitted.
“We anticipate receiving these final approvals in February 2017, immediately following which we will commence construction of the processing plant and development work on the Gruyere open pit mine. I would like to acknowledge the commitment of the entire Gold Road and the Project team in delivering these milestones in a period of high activity and transition for the Project.”
Appointment
Geoff Cowie, previously Gruyere Feasibility Study Coordinator, has been appointed to the key position of Construction Manager for the Project.
Mr Cowie brings a wide range of experience in the field of project management, project delivery and construction management for large mining developments and major infrastructure projects internationally, including senior project delivery roles in Australia, China, Bulgaria, South East Asia and South Africa.
Before taking on the Gruyere Feasibility Study Coordinator role for Gold Road, he was engaged as a Senior Project Manager by WSP/Parsons Brinkerhoff working on the Aurizon West Pilbara Infrastructure Project studies, which included 275 kilometres of new heavy haul rail and a new deep water port at Anketell Point.
Previous senior roles in mining project construction include Project Director ‐ EPC Delivery for Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd, and Project Director for Calibre on the T155 rail duplication project for FMG.
Commenting on his appointment as Construction Manager, Mr Cowie said: “Taking on this key role for the Project offers a great opportunity to lead a committed team, follow‐through on the work previously completed as part of the Feasibility Study and deliver this outstanding project into production on time, on budget and safely.”
Accommodation
Work to dismantle and relocate the first 300 rooms of the accommodation village for the Project has been completed, while erection of the units has started and is expected to be completed in March 2017.
Work to dismantle, relocate and install the second 300 rooms for the Gruyere accommodation village will commence in February and is scheduled for completion in the June 2017 quarter.
Contracts
The Project is in the final stages of evaluating tender submissions for key works contracts including the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for the process plant and associated infrastructure; bulk earthworks contract; energy supply agreement comprising of the power station and gas pipeline; long lead time equipment; and catering contract, with final decisions expected in the March 2017 quarter.
Transition
The transition of the Project Team to the Project Manager, Gold Fields, is progressing well, with the transition expected to be completed in the March 2017 quarter.
The transition process has progressed smoothly and without any interruptions or impacts to the Early Works program, which commenced in the December 2016 quarter. The detailed engineering for the Gruyere accommodation village, airstrip, access roads, tailings storage facility and Anne Beadell borefield are well advanced and will be completed by the end of the March 2017 quarter.