Barbrook Mines Complex – Taylors Mine | | Print | |
At least 10 known zones of gold mineralization occur within the Barbrook Mines Complex (“Barbrook”), a consolidation of deposits which collectively contain some 2.0 million ounces (14.52 Mt @ 4.60 g/t) in Mineral Resources. Ore Reserves containing some 45,700 ounces (0.24 Mt @ 4.08 g/t) have been delineated in the Taylors Mine area between underground Levels 7 and 10.
Barbrook has a well-established surface infrastructure (plant, workshops, laboratory, tailings dam, etc.), extensive underground development (>50 km) and readily accessible areas for mining. No ore extraction and very little exploration have been undertaken to date below 10 Level. Access to the main underground sections is via two equipped adits, respectively on 7 and 10 Levels, which are separated by 150 vertical meters. No development exists below 10 Level, which is at the surface elevation of the CMC. All ancillary utilities are operational.
The Company has commenced mining at Barbrook in two stages. The first (Taylors Mine – Barbrook Stage 1) is a trial mining and processing operation that produces float concentrates from underground mining. The Barbrook Stage 2 expansion, which is being investigated by way of a Bankable Feasibility Study (“BFS”), will be a major, phased expansion of gold production. Taylors Mine
Barbrook Expansion ProjectThe results of BIOX® pilot plant metallurgical test work indicate that leach gold recoveries from concentrates in excess of 80% can be achieved after BIOX® treatment. However, with the addition of the HiTeCC processing step to treat the CIL residues after bioxidation, leach recoveries are expected to be enhanced to at least 90%. Of relevance to the eventual flow sheet selection for the Barbrook Stage 2 BFS is whether the present, production-scale treatment of concentrates in the CMC will prove to be economically preferable to BIOX®. Current investigations aim to eventually bring the overall flotation and leach recoveries in the Barbrook direct leach circuit to 70%. The underground diamond drilling program currently being undertaken from 10 Level is designed to upgrade existing JORC mineral resources in the down-dip extension of the Taylors and French Bob ore bodies. Results of the drilling continue to confirm mineralized extensions of these ore bodies below 10 Level, particularly to the east of the known pay shoots. By end September 2013, some 6,000m of the planned 8,000m of core drilling had been completed. |