- Westgold Resources (WGX) commences an expansion study for the Big Bell mine within its Cue project in Western Australia
- It comes after the mine consistently outperformed feasibility study tonnages of more than one million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) since commercial production began in Q3, FY22
- The company is now looking at additional production from a conventional long-hold open stoping operation below the main cave, which could increase production to up to 1.4 Mtpa
- Westgold has completed a scoping study in the area and plans to soon commence a pre-feasibility study, with results anticipated in the final quarter of FY23
- WGX shares close 3.18 per cent lower at 76 cents per share
Westgold Resources (WGX) has commenced an expansion study for the Big Bell mine within its Cue project in WA after the mine consistently outperformed feasibility tonnages.
The company said the mine was producing more than one million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) since commercial production was declared in Q3, FY22.
The most recent optimisation initiatives have seen production lift from an initially-planned 88,000 tonnes per month over the first six months of 2023 to an estimated 1.2 Mtpa.
The company is now predicting that additional production from a conventional long-hole open stoping operation that sits below the sub-level cave could lift production rates to between 1.3 Mpta and 1.4 Mtpa.
WGX believes it can accelerate development into this deeper portion of the Big Bell orebody without hampering current activity in the main cave.
Westgold has completed a scoping study in the area and plans to soon commence a pre-feasibility study, with results anticipated in the final quarter of FY23.
“With Big Bell now producing consistently above original targets and with 4 years of developed ore ahead of us, we are now evaluating a second operation utilising conventional long-hole open stoping (LHOS) methods, well below the existing sub-level cave,” Westgold Managing Director Wayne Bramwell said.
“The PFS contemplates utilising the existing mine infrastructure to support the existing sub-level cave and an LHOS operation within the same footprint to lift grade, reduce mining costs and increase production rate upwards towards 1.4 Mtpa.”
WGX shares closed 3.18 per cent lower at 76 cents per share