EDNA MAY CONSTRUCTIONSite Construction ProgressOur first blast was fired on schedule, on Monday 14December 2009 successfully removing a remnant overhang from the north face of the open-pit. Mining continues on schedule and stockpiling of high and low grade ore has commenced on the ROM pad. The crusher dump pocket retaining wall was also finalized in December 2009 with the primary crusher now installed. The crusher apron feeder structural steel installation continues on schedule. The coarse ore stockpile and conveyor tunnel is well advanced with erection of conveyor structural steel and belt feeders almost complete. Both mills are now installed with structural steel in the grinding area now complete. Lubrication systems are installed and cyclone structural steel is ready to receive the cyclones. Concrete contractors have finished and departed site whilst fabrication and refurbishment at the Edna May Gold Processing Plant is approximately 95% complete. Structural works are approximately 85% complete and mechanical, piping and electrical installations are well underway. The gold room and elution circuit structural steel is almost complete and cabling and piping has commenced. Work is also well advanced on the cyanide, oxygen and RO plants. Negotiations with power suppliers have been finalised. We are pleased to announce our power supply partner is Perth Energy for a 4 year supply contract. The onsite power lines and transformers are installed. We are on schedule to have power into the plant site in February 2010. More importantly, we have achieved this progress without any lost-time injuries since project construction commenced.This is a significant achievement on a compact site operating at peak construction phase when we have up to 180 employees and contractors working on-site. This is a positive reflection on Catalpa and Contractor focus on safety. I commend all employees and contractors associated with the project for their safety performance. We will continue to focus on advancing the project safely, within budget and on schedule to achieve the mine’s first gold production in June 2010.
First production blast on the northern crest of the pit on 14 December 2009.
View from rusher dump pocket showing coarse ore conveyor with process plant in background
View to west from grinding circuit showing ball mill installed with coarse ore stockpile in the background
Gold room and elution circuit
Grinding area and tank structural steel in readiness for installation of cyclones, piping and cables |
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