VANCOUVER (miningweekly.com) – Boutique gold producer Richmont Mines has received the amendments for both Air and Wastewater Environmental Compliance Approvals (ECAs) from the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change for its 100%-owned and operated Island Gold mine, in northern Ontario.
These amendments allow for processing of up to 1 100 t/d, an increase from the previous level of 900 t/d, a level at which the mine has been operating at or near for most of 2016.
The higher processing rate is in line with what the updated preliminary economic assessment currently under way, and due out in the first half of 2017, is calling for. The amended ECAs allow processing of up to 401 500 t/y of ore, with flexibility for up to a maximum of 38 480 t/m.
These two amendments put the mine in a fully permitted position for the potential expansion.