Red 5 Limited’s (ASX: RED) project, King of the Hills (KOTH) is progressing on schedule for first gold in the June Quarter of 2022. It’s located in WA’s Goldfields-Esperance region with a 16-year life-of-mine. The geology of KOTH is unique in the distribution of ore within intrusive rock types throughout the mafic and ultramafic host rocks, and the relative softness of this ore. The confidence and understanding of both the geology and metallurgy at KOTH are exceptionally high.
KOTH’s construction has remained within budget, with several key achievements in the construction progress during August 2021: All the SAG mill components have been delivered to site, sole plates are in place on the foundation, and assembly of the mill shell and girth gear has commenced; construction of the plant administration building is complete, and the maintenance workshop and warehouse are nearing completion.
The concrete suspended slab for the 6mt per annum gyratory crusher has been poured and construction of the ROM walls has commenced; carbon-in-leach tanks are almost fully welded; several carbon-in-leach tank agitators have been assembled; lime silo has been installed; all in-ground conduits for the power station have been installed the concrete slabs are being poured; and the contractor for the lift of the tailings storage facility four has mobilised to site and earthworks have commenced.
This is all optimistic news for Red 5, who have been able to proceed safely with this project throughout the pandemic and maintain the original forecast date for first gold in the June Quarter of 2022. KOTH will have open-pit mining and underground mining operating concurrently, with open-cut mining projections into 2038.
This project will create job security for Red 5’s workforce at a nearby mine, Darlot, which has been mined continuously for 32 years. There is great potential for exploration and growth in the area with several nearby resource deposits such as Rainbow, Centauri and Cerberus-Eclipse.
The Australian Mining Review will be publishing a feature on Red 5’s King of the Hills project in the November issue of the paper, along with editorials on many of the companies who are taking part on site.
