JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Australian junior Kingsgate Consolidated has resumed mining activities at its Chatree gold operation in Thailand, after authorities on Friday lifted a temporary suspension order.
The shutdown was ordered in January after random urine and blood tests of villagers nearby the mine revealed above-standard arsenic and manganese levels. An environmental report has confirmed that the Chatree operation was not the source or cause of the elevated arsenic and manganese levels.
Kingsgate said it had used the shutdown period to undertake major maintenance work, which was scheduled for later in the year.
“With the strong December half-year performance and flexibility in the current mining areas at Chatree, Kingsgate believes that Chatree is still likely to achieve full-year production guidance,” the miner said in a statement.
Kingsgate full-year production guidance is between 195 000 oz and 215 000 oz, with the Chatree mine expected to deliver between 130 000 oz and 140 000 oz, while the Challenger mine, in South Australia, will deliver between 65 000 oz and 75 000 oz.
Kingsgate’s share resumed trading on the ASX on Monday.