Black Cat makes positive steps in commissioning work at Paulsens refurbishment

Black Cat Syndicate (ASX:BC8) has taken a further positive step in its refurbishment of the processing plant attached to the Paulsens Gold Operation in Western Australia, with commissioning work underway ahead of an expected first gold pour this month.

Dry commissioning of the crushing circuit has been completed, and the company has kicked off wet commissioning in order to create a low-grade crushed stockpile for use during commissioning of the operating circuits.

Key to progressing this work has been the installation of important items such as the Knelson gravity concentrators – needed for dry commissioning – a new oxygen storage tank, and a new electrically compliant 415-volt switchboard, the last of the long lead items ordered in April 2024.

The latter will be set up at power station number one’s motor control centre.

The remaining goals for December include continuation of the dry commissioning and operation of the crushing circuit, connection of power station number one’s motor control centre to the process plant circuits, and the commencement of dry and wet commissioning of the grinding, gravity, CIP and recovery circuits.

Managing director Gareth Solly said the refurbishment work had been completed on time and within budget.

“Our focus is now switching to dry and wet commissioning in the lead up to first gold later this month,” he said. “Ongoing selective mining and preparations for the full mechanised fleet remain on track and planning for accelerated exploration in 2025 is well underway.”

At 10:59 AEDT, BC8 was trading at 73 cents – a fall of 2.01% since the market opened.

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