Bellevue gold project reopens after 20-year hiatus

Bellevue Gold (ASX: BGL) has officially reopened its namesake gold project in WA after sitting dormant for more than 20 years.

The company expects to produce more than 1.8moz of gold over the initial 10-year mine life of the project and with a mineral resource of 3.1moz at 9.9g/t gold, the mine will be one of Australia’s highest-grade gold mines.

Bellevue Gold aims to be a net-zero emission site by 2026, with the lowest greenhouse gas intensity of any major Australian gold project. This will allow the company to market ‘green gold’, a product which has the potential to attract a price premium.

Wind and solar power are expected to provide up to 80% of the facility’s overall power needs.

The earliest operations at the Bellevue gold project date back to the early 1900s with operations restarted in 1986 before closing in 1996 due to historically low gold prices. The project was inactive until 2017 when Bellevue Gold restarted exploration.

WA Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael congratulated Bellevue Gold on the reopening of its project.

“Congratulations to Bellevue Gold on the opening of its remarkable gold mining project, which will deliver economic benefits to the Eastern Goldfields and jobs for local communities,” he said.

“I commend Bellevue Gold for working closely with the Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes, and for committing to ongoing engagement.

“It is also encouraging to see the Bellevue gold project aim for net zero emissions as WA’s resources sector will play a key role in the State’s transition to a low carbon economy.”