PERTH (miningweekly.com) – An updated three-year mine production outlook for the Gruyere gold mine, in Western Australia, has estimated that the project could produce between 335 000 oz/y and 375 000 oz/y over the outlook period.
ASX-listed Gold Road Resources on Wednesday reported that production expectations at Gruyere had been lifted owing to higher head grades and improved throughput, following the commissioning of a third pebble crusher in late 2023.
Studies on the seven-stage Gruyere pit design have also confirmed the life-of-mine until 2032, with production anticipated to reach 350 000 t/y in this period.
Gold Road told shareholder that with over three-million ounces of mineral resources defined beneath the Gruyere ore reserve and the orebody intersected in drilling down to 1 km below surface, the company sees an opportunity to extend Gruyere’s mine life beyond 2032. This will be the subject of a study in future.
Meanwhile, the joint venture’s exploration focus in 2023 will be on the Golden Highway project, 25 km from the Gruyere mine site, which is estimated to host 14-million tonnes at 1.44 g/t gold for 0.67-million ounces of gold.
Feasibility studies for the Golden Highway resource are expected in 2023, in preparation for mining which is expected to start in early 2026.
Gruyere in April marked its first one-million-ounce production, less than four years after pouring its first gold. Gold Road said on Wednesday that with the strong production outlook, the mine is expected to deliver two-million ounces in 2025.
Once Gruyere has produced two-million ounces, Gold Road will receive an uncapped 1.5% net smelter return royalty from Gold Fields on its 50% share of production. This is in addition to Gold Road’s 50% share of ongoing gold production.