Greatland Gold PLC (AIM:GGP, OTC:GRLGF) CEO Shaun Day talked with Proactive about the latest exploration update at the West Dome underground project. This marks the first-ever drilling campaign into this section of the Telfer gold-copper operation, yielding positive initial results.
Day highlighted that the underground beneath the Main Dome at Telfer has been operating for nearly two decades, producing over 3.0 million ounces of gold. The newly drilled West Dome underground area has shown high-grade intercepts, with some reaching over 19 grams per tonne gold equivalent. He emphasized the importance of this discovery, as it provides potential for extending the mine life at Telfer while leveraging existing infrastructure for efficient ore processing.
The company has planned a follow-up drilling campaign to further assess the deposit and move toward a JORC resource estimate. Additionally, mine planning and geotechnical studies will support future development.
Greatland Gold also has a substantial stockpile, including 500,000 ounces of gold and 20,000 tonnes of copper, reinforcing its resource base. Day noted that their approach mirrors past successful strategies in extending mine life through reinvestment in drilling.
Proactive: Shaun, very good to speak with you. Could you talk us through your exploration update out this morning?
Shaun Day: Hi Stephen, nice to speak with you again as well. The West Dome underground update is a really great update for the market. This is the first time we’ve drilled into the West Dome underground. At Telfer, there’s the Main Dome open pit, and next to it, the West Dome open pit.
The underground beneath the Main Dome has been operating for just under 20 years, with over 3.0 million ounces extracted. This is the first time we’ve explored underground at the West Dome, and we’ve already hit some really good intercepts—large mining widths and high grades. It’s a very positive update, and we’re pleased with the results of this initial underground drilling campaign.
Proactive: What’s the history of the West Dome underground project, and why is it significant?
Shaun Day: As I mentioned, in addition to the Main Dome, there’s the West Dome. About a decade ago, surface drilling identified the same geological units present in the Main Dome underground extending under the West Dome. It has long been seen as an attractive opportunity.
However, it was never developed because, within the Newcrest Group, it didn’t receive the capital allocation needed. That changed when Newmont, the world’s largest gold miner, completed the drive to the West Dome. Since then, we’ve had rigs operating there, and we now have 19 intercepts sitting close to this deep underground area.
The results have been excellent. We’re seeing an average width of around 25 meters and intercepts with grades exceeding 19 grams per tonne of gold equivalent. This initial drilling campaign has been a strong success.
What’s particularly exciting is that the West Dome underground connects back to the Main Dome’s underground infrastructure. That means we can transport ore efficiently via a short horizontal haulage to the existing underground crusher and shaft, making it a highly efficient setup. This is the best-grade material we’ve encountered at Telfer since 2005.
Proactive: What are Greatland Gold’s future activities at the West Dome underground project?
Shaun Day: This was our maiden underground drilling campaign at West Dome, and we’re planning a follow-up drill program. This next phase will help us move towards a JORC resource estimate.
In addition to drilling, we’re also working with our mine planning team. As part of the next campaign, we’ll undertake geotechnical and hydrological studies to refine our understanding of the deposit. This will allow us to develop mine plans and integrate this resource efficiently.
West Dome’s location near existing infrastructure makes it a strong candidate for extending the mine life at Telfer. The opportunity to process high-grade material from this zone is very encouraging.
Proactive: How does the West Dome underground project fit into the broader Telfer extension plans?
Shaun Day: The Telfer extension plan is a major focus for us, both in the underground and open pit. Those familiar with our presentations will know that we’ve identified new mineralized zones that are well-drilled and well-understood.
A strong gold price and improvements in cost efficiency at Telfer have also helped. We’re confident we can bring additional open-pit material into the mine plan to extend its life. On the underground side, we’re seeing success not just at West Dome but also in other areas like the A Reefs, M Reefs, and Eastern Stockworks. These are all continuations of known mining zones.
We also have a significant inventory, including 500,000 ounces of gold and 20,000 tonnes of copper in stockpiles at the surface. Our strategy is to continue building this inventory and extend the mine life at Telfer.
This approach is similar to what we did at Northern Star, where we acquired assets with short mine lives, reinvested in drilling, and successfully extended their operations for a decade or more. We aim to replicate that success at Telfer.
Proactive: I hope you'll keep us updated on any progress. Thank you very much for speaking with us today, Shaun.