PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection has issued a draft amended Environmental Authority (EA) that could allow gold miner Resolute Mining to restart mining operations at its Sarsfield openpit mine.

Resolute on Thursday said the amended EA was an important milestone in the government approval process for the planned Ravenswood expansion project, which will extend the mine's life by 13 years to 2029, and will increase gold production by more than 120 000 oz/y.

MD and CEO John Welborn told shareholders that restarting mining activities at the Sarsfield pit was a critically important aspect of the company’s plans to expand production and extend the mine life at Ravenswood.

“A number of important improvements have been incorporated into our plans, which have boosted the economic results of the project and enhanced the future environmental outcomes. We are actively involved with all project stakeholders and look forward to continuing to work with the Queensland government to confirm all required approvals for the Ravenswood expansion project,” he added.

The draft amended EA included all provisions necessary for openpit mining to restart at Sarsfield, and the final approval is expected in March, provided there were no delays in the review process.

The receipt of the draft amended EA follows the grant of Prescribed Project status by the state government in December, which was expected to significantly streamline administrative decisions and ensure essential project regulatory approvals are received on a timely basis.

Resolute said the company would now start the formal approval process for the Buck Reef West project, with environmental approvals anticipated by mid-2018.

The Mt Wright underground operations are expected to continue until its eventual closure later this year, with openpit mining at Nolans East restarting and continuing during the year.

Processing capacity during this time will increase to 2.8-million tonnes a year.

Following the regulatory approvals of the Sarsfield and Buck Reef West operations, Resolute is hoping to expand the mill capacity to five-million tonnes a year during 2018.