JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Aim-listed Goldplat has commissioned a replacement mill in the low-grade circuit of its Goldplat Recovery (GPL) operation in South Africa, enabling continuous operation by reducing the extensive and unplanned maintenance required to keep the original mill operational.

The new mill had the same capacity as the original mill and came on line in time to process the feed material that was originally planned for the high-grade circuit, which would now be designated to the Rand Refinery project to enable greater levels of materials to be processed.

The gold producer also commissioned a new pumping station at its tailings retreatment carbon-in-leach (CIL) plant to increase the volume of material pumped to the tailings facility.

“This process improvement will have a positive impact allowing for an additional 500 g to 1 kg of gold production a month from the existing residue streams,” Goldplat said in a statement.

Further, it reported that a new liquid cyanide storage facility had also been successfully commissioned, with first delivery made by a local South African supplier. This local procurement would allow GPL to further reduce its costs in addition to the considerable savings achieved since automation was implemented in 2013.

Goldplat CEO Gerard Kisbey-Green noted that the company had successfully financed the upgrades internally, despite cash flow constraints experienced throughout the past 18 months.

“With intense scrutiny now being given to the planning, prioritising and completion of capital projects on time and within budget, the new momentum is pleasing and we look forward to seeing the results in increased flexibility, production and profitability at our leading South African gold recovery operation,” he added.

Meanwhile, at its Kilimapesa project, in Kenya, Goldplat had completed dewatering and equipping the Teng-Teng decline shaft and exisiting reef drives.

The company could now restart on-reef exploration with a view to increasing resources and ultimately providing mining flexibility and a high-grade feed to the processing plant.