Name of the Project
Bellevue wet paste plant.

Location
Western Australia.

Project Owner/s
Australia's newest major gold producer Bellevue Gold.

Project Description
Bellevue Gold has approved the construction of a new 120 m³/h wet paste plant. The plant will service the high-grade Deacon and Deacon North mining areas. 

Paste fill involves taking tailings from the processing plant thickener discharge, dewatering them through a filter, mixing them with cement binder and depositing the resulting paste into underground voids. 

The introduction of paste fill is expected to deliver long-term value through improved production consistency and increased safety. 

It will also allow for higher recovery from the Deacon and Deacon North orebodies, with overall recovery expected to increase by about 7%, translating into an additional 100 000 oz mined over the current reserve life. 

The additional material, previously left behind as pillars, is higher-grade ore within these zones. 

The paste fill will provide continuous wall support, assisting in controlling dilution, protecting head grade and sustaining revenue margins. 

It will also reduce seismic risk by eliminating large underground voids and providing early confinement to stope walls, improving workforce safety and enabling more predictable mining conditions. 

About 30% of tailings produced are expected to be deposited underground through paste filling, reducing volumes to the surface tailings storage facility and extending its life. 

While paste fill will slightly extend stope turnover times in the higher-grade areas, owing to curing requirements; this is expected to be offset by the increased tonnes.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Bellevue approved the A$35-million to A$40-million paste plant, including a 10% contingency on February 17, 2026.

Planned Start/End Date
Construction will start in the 2026 financial year, with completion estimated by in mid-2027, with paste filling to start immediately thereafter.

Latest Developments
ASX-listed Perenti's underground mining business Barminco has been awarded a four-year underground mining contract, valued at about A$850-million.

The contract term will start on August 1, with Barminco to take over from current mining contractor ASX-listed Develop Global.

The award follows a competitive tender process. 

Bellevue Gold has reported that comprehensive transition planning has been undertaken between it and Barminco, including workforce, equipment, systems and operational readiness activities, with a strong focus on safety, operational continuity and production stability.

The mobilisation and transition period will start immediately in preparation for the contract handover.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
GR Engineering Services (wet paste plant construction).

Contact Details for Project Information
Bellevue Gold, tel +61 8 6373 9000 or email admin@bgl.gold.