Name of the Project
Wiluna Stage 1 sulphide project.

Location
The Yilgarn Crayton, in the Northern goldfields of Western Australia.

Project Owner/s
Wiluna Mining.

Project Description
The project has a Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant resource of 4.63-million ounces at 3.65 g/t and an ore reserve of 1.06-million ounces at 2.85 g/t.

The project involves the staged development of the sulphide operation from its current production profile of producing an estimated 62 000 oz/y from mining free milling ore through the current 2.1-million-tonne-a-year carbon-in-leach processing facility, to initially produce between 100 000 oz/y and 120 000 oz/y of gold and gold in concentrate.

This transition will be realised using the current, recently refurbished crushing circuit, as well as the previously expanded mill circuit and a new 750 000 t/y concentrator.

Wiluna is further planning to increase production by at least doubling the mining rate, and increasing production by the concentrator to an estimated 250 000 oz/y of gold by the end of 2023 or early 2024.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
The estimated cost of the project is A$81-million.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Toro has revealed the potential to recover vanadium as a by-product of processing uranium from the Lake Maitland project, within the greater Wiluna project, with only a marginal increase to the capital and operating costs of the proposed processing plant.

The company will do further studies at its Wiluna uranium project to evaluate and improve the project value.

The company has said that about 499 t/y of vanadium could be produced at Wiluna, along with the more than two-million pounds of uranium oxide, with operating costs increasing by only 1.8% at the plant, while capital costs at the plant would increase by only 6.5%, or A$5.7-million, from the A$87.9-million expected in the scoping study.

Toro will now initiate further studies to consider the cost associated with Lake Maitland, such as mining and nonprocess infrastructure. These studies will assist in determining the overall capital and operating costs for Lake Maitland.

The company has said that it will continue to find value and opportunities in the Wiluna project to maintain it as an early mover for a returning uranium market and price. 

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
GRES (engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the Stage 1 works).

Contact Details for Project Information
Wiluna Mining, tel +61 8 9322 6418 or email info@wilunamining.com.au.