PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Copper/gold miner Sandfire Resources on Monday told shareholders that it was on track to restart underground mining activities at its Conductor 1 and DeGrussa orebodies, in Western Australia, within the next week.
Mining activities in the Conductor 1 and DeGrussa orebodies were temporarily put on hold owing to increased water flows. The miner also suspended the development of the Conductor 4/5 decline at its DeGrussa mine for the same reason.
The increased water flows occurred at the location of underground drill holes, which had been completed as part of a long-term water management programme for the underground mine at DeGrussa.
Sandfire said on Monday that the dewatering capacity had now reached target level and was well in excess of inflow rate.
In conjunction with dewatering activities, the underground drill holes where the increased water flows occurred would be be sealed and grouted within the next week.
Meanwhile, the DeGrussa concentrator has continued to process available ore stockpiles and Sandfire did not expect to change previously announced production guidance for 2015.