Bellevue Gold Limited (ASX:BGL) has reached a major milestone in the construction of its Bellevue Gold Project in Western Australia, with the first development ore being reached.
The Armand heading is one of three independent production areas in the mine’s northern production centre and is now ready for ore development. Two more independent production areas are being established in the southern production centre. This strategy is designed to deliver a diversified, low-risk operation with maximum flexibility and scalability.
The maiden Armand development ore heading is shown below in Figure 1 with a weighted average grade for the development face of 7.0g/t.
This material will be stockpiled on the ROM pad ahead of first production. The high-grade Armand structure was intersected as predicted and reconciles well with the Resource model for the area. The face grade has been based on assays from drillhole diamond DRDD456W4 which cuts the ore face.
Record underground development Underground development commenced in August 2020 and production rates continue to ramp up. Underground mining contractor Develop Global Ltd achieved a site record of 325m for the month of June with a single jumbo operating and is on track to exceed this figure in July 2022.
Since Develop commenced in May 2022, underground development rates have increased by 60%. Underground development rates will continue to increase in line with the underground development schedule.
During the preproduction period development ore is planned to steadily ramp up as the project approaches first gold, with stoping ore anticipated in the March 2023 quarter. The surface ROM stockpile is forecast to be over 200,000 tonnes @ >5g/t gold ahead of plant commissioning in the second half of CY2023.
With five individual work areas from two production centres set to open before plant commissioning, the development plan has been designed to allow operational flexibility and a significantly de-risked ramp-up.
The underground development also establishes a platform for grade control and Resource definition drilling at the project. The multiple work areas in the mine plan sets the platform for production growth beyond the 1.0Mtpa throughput capacity in the current project model, with the ability to increase tonnages from the same capital development.
Camp construction update
Camp infrastructure is progressing well with 316 rooms landed with 120 rooms complete with the associated Dry Mess and central facilities operational. The camp is due for completion this quarter.
For further information please visit: https://www.bellevuegold.com.au/
