Classic Minerals and Bellevue Gold pour inaugural gold bars
Two WA gold mining companies have poured their first gold bars, marking a significant milestone for both.
Classic Minerals
Classic Minerals (ASX:CLZ) has cemented itself as a producer with the inaugural gold bar poured from the Kat Gap gold project in WA.
Classic’s Gekko Systems advanced gravity separation circuit played an instrumental role in the production of the inaugural gold bar.
The gravity circuit is a predecessor to the planned carbon-in-leach (CIL) process which is currently under construction and installation. On completion, the CIL process is projected to further enhance Classic’s gold recovery rates to 98%.
Achieving first gold bar pour is a monumental testament to a gold project’s lifecycle and encapsulates the success of Kat Gap from exploration to gold production.
Chief executive Dean Goodwin commented on the achievement.
“The transformation of our Kat Gap gold project, from exploration to mining and now to a gold producing asset, symbolises the realisation of our aspirations and our team’s formidable spirit,” he said.
“Producing the first gold bar exemplifies the robustness of Classic’s operations. Through our innovative approach to mining and processing techniques, we have ensured a proficient gold extraction process from the Kat Gap ores.
“Classic is geared up to intensify production efforts, fine-tune its processing strategies, and identify methods to maximise yields from Kat Gap.”
Bellevue Gold
Bellevue Gold (ASX:BGL) has poured its first gold bar from a toll treating program at the Gwalia gold mine owned by Genesis Minerals (ASX:GMD).
The company is continuing to make strong progress towards its goal of producing first gold from the Bellevue processing plant in the coming quarter with stoping now underway.
Underground stoping has begun at the Bellevue gold project with the first stope fired last week in the Upper Arman mining area.
Development ore drives have been accessed at three of the four production areas — Armand, Marcelline and Bellevue South. Stoping will now occur in each of these mining areas in the pre-production phase to provide stockpiled tonnes ready for processing plant commissioning.
Deacon, the fourth production area, will be accessed by development this quarter with grade control drilling currently underway.
Furthermore, the processing and commissioning team has arrived at the Bellevue gold project and is working with the construction team to facilitate completion and start-up of the processing plant.
Structural work, CIL tanks, painting and mechanical installations have been completed, while mill installation is 90% complete.
