PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Western Australian Mines and Petroleum Minister Sean L’Estrange has officially opened the Matilda gold project, near Wiluna.
The project, which poured its first gold in October, is owned by ASX-listed Blackham Resources. The mine is expected to produce 100 000 oz/y of gold in an eight-year mine life.
L’Estrange said that the reopening of the Matilda mine marked the rejuvenation of the gold mining industry in the northern goldfields of Western Australia.
"This provides a much-needed stimulus to the local economy, with the prospect of yielding long-term employment and training opportunities for local residents and strong relationships with local businesses," he said.
Some 120 staff were currently employed by mining contractor MACA, with L’Estrange saying that Blackham itself had also provided employment opportunities at the Wiluna mine for underground mining, refurbishment and then operation of the processing plant, and for construction and management of the 350-bed accommodation village.
L'Estrange said Blackham's success in bringing the Matilda and WiIuna mines back into production was a reminder of the sector's ability to develop projects quickly in response to commodity price cycles.