PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Mining operations have started at the Vanguard openpit at the Bellevue gold project in Western Australia.
ASX-listed Bellevue Gold said on Monday that mining contractor NRW Holdings had now fully mobilised to site, and in addition to starting openpit mining was also clearing at the tailings storage facility (TSF).
Mining at the Vanguard openpit will allow Bellevue the opportunity to generate early cash flow through a toll treating arrangement. The pit is scheduled to provide 10 000 oz of gold, which is expected to be available for processing in mid-2023, in advance of the forecast completion of the Bellevue processing facility.
Bellevue told shareholders that the company was exploring toll treatment options with mining companies in the region and discussions were ongoing.
Once mined, waste material from Vanguard will form the basis of the TSF.
Meanwhile, the construction of the one-million-tonne-a-year processing facility continues to advance on schedule and budget. Development of the underground operation is also continuing to advance.