Philippines-focused gold producer Medusa Mining is set to under-take a $70-million remodelling of its current Co-O mill and mine site in order to increase its yearly production target to 200 000 oz.

The company evaluated three possible sites, and was advised by consulting engineers that an extensive remodelling of the current mill site would maximise the use of existing facilities, and would result in a reduction of the original estimated capital expenditure of $80-million by $10-million.

“We are continually striving to improve our operations, and the mine remodelling will enable the company to supply increased amounts of ore to the new Co-O mill on its completion. “It is also pleasing that we should now be able to achieve considerable savings on our capex with the new mill,” reports MD Peter Hepburn-Brown.

The application to upgrade the Environmental Clearance Certificate for the current Co-O mill has been submitted to the Department of Environ- mental and Natural Resources in the Philippines and is currently undergoing assess-ment.

“We are still on track to receive permits for the expansion around late September,” Hepburn-Brown adds.
The replacement and transfer of buildings and facilities around the current mine started in July in order to accommodate the expansion.