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All images: WPG Resources BY ELIZABETH FABRI SOUTH Australian mine Challenger has been operating for 15 years, but it still has a long and promising future ahead. Under the fresh ownership of WPG Resources, mine life continues to grow through an aggressive exploration campaign which is returning high-grade results, and a two pronged expansion due for completion in early 2018. Discovered by Dominion Mining in 1995, the Challenger gold find was a huge win for the South Australian resources sector; generating thousands of construction jobs and ongoing jobs for the State. Dominion Mining began construction in September 2001, open pit mining in 2002, and underground production in 2005. The mine was later operated under a 50/50 joint venture between Kingsgate and Diversified…

An aerial shot of the Spotted Quoll mine. BY CAMERON DRUMMOND AUSTRALIA’S only pure-play nickel producer Western Areas has been increasing its reputation as one of the world’s best low cost, high grade operators with its own innovate BioHeap technology. Volatile nickel prices have been fair-weathered by Western Areas. The company has utilised its position as a low cost, high grade nickel producer to increase cash in the bank and explore organic growth opportunities in WA. Located 400km east of Perth, Western Areas’ flagship project is Forrestania which comprises two producing nickel mines, Spotted Quoll and Flying Fox, as well as the Cosmic Boy concentrator which treats the high grade ore to produce about 25,000 tonnes (t) of nickel concentrate per annum.…

All images: AUSIMM. BY ELIZABETH FABRI AFTER iron ore prices experienced 12-month lows in June, the theme of this year’s Iron Ore 2017 event ‘Building Resilience’ is set to provide valuable insight into how mining and METS companies can remain profitable during the downward swing. Jointly organised by AusIMM and CSIRO, Iron Ore 2017 will be staged across three days at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from 24-26 July. The boutique conference has been held since 2002, providing a unique opportunity for iron ore businesses to discuss the biggest issues facing the sector and, of course, the path forward. This year’s theme ‘Building Resilience’ aims to tackle issues experienced during the volatile price climate, and cover the latest developments in geology,…

All Images: Gold Road Resources. BY CAMERON DRUMMOND AS Gold Road Resources’ Gruyere project is fast-tracked into development, the now self-funded explorer has ramped up its exploration budget to explore organic growth options within its 5000sqkm Yamarna Belt tenements. With its joint venture (JV) partner Gold Fields, Gold Road has now awarded all major contracts for the construction of its Gruyere gold project in the highly mineralised Yamarna Belt, 200km east of Laverton. A 2010 study by the Geological Survey of WA suggested the Yamarna Belt geological similarities with the Kalgoorlie Terrane greenstone rocks, and studies by previous explorers such as Ausgold supported that claim. Gold Road’s 5000 square kilometres of tenements in the Yamarna Belt already contain a number of…

All images: AIMEX. BY ELIZABETH FABRI MORE than 6000 mining professionals are expected to touch down at Sydney Showgrounds next month for the biennial Asia-Pacific International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX) conference. Running from 29 to 31 August, the free-to-attend event will be the biggest to date, bringing together the industry’s leading minds and technologies. First held in the 1970s, the AIMEX conference has become a must-attend event on the industry calendar; and it’s easy to see why. Spread across three days, the leading event presents a wealth of opportunities for the mining industry to up-skill, network and generate new business leads. “This year we have the first free-to-attend conference program at AIMEX that we believe offers visitors key insights into the…

All images: Doray Minerals. BY CAMERON DRUMMOND GOLD producer Doray Minerals is looking to its two producing assets – Andy Well and Deflector – for organic growth opportunities. WA gold producer Doray Minerals’ Andy Well gold project commenced production in August 2013; with the Deflector gold-copper project commencing production in May 2016. Both projects are currently undergoing aggressive exploration and development to increase the company’s mineral resources and reserves. Deflector The Deflector project is located 160km east of Geraldton in the southern Murchison region of WA, and was acquired following its successful takeover of Mutiny Gold in February 2015. After fast-tracking development of the $63m project, the mine commenced commercial production in November 2016 with an initial mine life of…