Greatland Gold PLC (AIM:GGP, OTC:GRLGF) said drilling of the main decline at Havieron in Western Australia has been paused while de-watering on the lower confined aquifer (LCA) continues.
Depressurisation activities are progressing, with six depressurisation holes now drilled into the LCA and pumping water to evaporation facilities at the surface, Greatland added.
Data collection and evaluation are continuing in parallel to increase confidence in water management from the LCA and determine the timing of any additional water management infrastructure that would be required at surface for resumption of the decline development, the statement added.
At present, the main access decline is at a depth of 2,110 metres (m) with 3,060m of total development work carried out, which represents around 80% of the vertical distance through to the top of the Havieron ore body.
A resource estimate published in December upgraded the resource at Havieron, which is a 30/70 joint venture between Greatland and operator Newmont, to 8.4 million ounces gold equivalent.
Shaun Day, Greatland’s managing director, commented: “The updated Mineral Resource Estimate is a particular highlight, further demonstrating the quality and scale of Havieron.
“In addition, important work has been progressed to optimise and safeguard development through the lower confined aquifer, which is a key milestone and de-risking event in the underground decline development."