Westgold Resources of Australia says its latest exploration results at its Bluebird underground gold mine near Meekatharra in Western Australia’s Mid West region warrant the expansion of the operation.
This could potentially increase underground production at Bluebird mine and South Junction orebody up to about 750,000 tonnes per annum at between 4g/t and 5g/t gold. Westgold currently has one surface and three underground drill rigs operating at the site, with a second surface rig mobilisation on site to add to the ongoing expansion program.
The underground mine has been developed 200m below the Bluebird open pit along a strike of 600m.
Bluebird and the smaller Paddy’s Flat underground mine at Meekatharra are the two primary ore sources feeding Westgold’s 1.6 to 1.8 million tonne per annum Bluebird processing plant. Historically, the two mines have produced more than a million gold ounces from shallow open pits and small-scale underground workings.
The company produced 59,238 gold ounces from its operations during the December quarter and sold its gold at a remarkable average price of $3041 per ounce. The company remains debt free, unhedged and on track to deliver its financial year production guidance of between 245,000 and 265,000 ounces, according to management.
Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished
