PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland government has issued ASX-listed New Century Resources with an amended environmental authority for its Century zinc mine, allowing progressive economic rehabilitation activities.
The amendments allow for tailings to be relocated back to the original Century openpit, and to be rehabilitated through sub-aqueous deposition as opposed to capping of the tailings dam.
“It is pleasing to receive strong support for the project from Queensland government agencies for our economic rehabilitation programme at the Century mine,” said New Century MD Patrick Walta.
“New Century has worked closely with the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and the Department of State Development to ensure this project, and the extensive economic benefits it will deliver for the North West minerals province, can commence as planned in 2018.”
The Century zinc mine was the third largest zinc mine in the world prior to its closure in 2016, and is estimated to host a mineral resource of more than 2.6-million tonnes of zinc, 700 000 t of lead and 42.5-million ounces of silver.
New Century is currently undertaking a restart feasibility study into the recommissioning of the existing processing plant through the treatment of tailings, before examining its other primary ore sources.