Name and Location
Kemess underground gold mine project, British Columbia, Canada.

Client
AuRico Gold.

Project Description
The Kemess mine was originally brought into production as a 52 000 t/d openpit mine in 1998 and produced continuously until 2011.

The Kemess underground project has proven and probable mineral reserves of 100.37-million tons, with a grade of 0.56 g/t of gold, and measured and indicated resources of 64.43-million tons, with a grade of 0.41 g/t of gold. Inferred resources total 9.97-million tons, with a grade of 0.39 g/t of gold.

Results from the Kemess underground feasibility study outline the development an underground block cave operation, about 6.5 km north of the Kemess plant site, with an average production of 105 000 oz/y of gold and 44-million pounds a year of copper, over a mine life of about 12 years.

A proposed 4 km road and overland conveyor will lead to the portal entrances.
Underground access will be gained through twin 3.25-km-long declines – one decline will be dedicated to a conveyor and the other will provide general access.

Infrastructure will include 5-m-diameter intake and exhaust raises and associated fans capable of delivering 400 mÑ/s. The main declines will have a dedicated ventilation system separate from the main mine for safety reasons.

Other mine infrastructure will include two pumps, each capable of pumping 70 ℓ/s, to manage water inflows.

Only one pump will be used at any one time, with the other functioning as a backup.

The envisaged underground operation will leverage the existing infrastructure and mill facilities at the Kemess South mine, including an area previously permitted for tailings storage in the Kemess South pit.

Value
The project has a precommercial production capital cost of $452-million.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
AuRico Gold, tel +1 647 260 8880 or fax +1 647 260 8881.