Richland Resources (LON:RLD) remains on course to re-start operations at the Capricorn sapphire mine in Queensland early next year after the successful completion of engineering refurbishment work.
The work means that the alluvial processing plant at Capricorn, which can treat up to 200 loose cubic metres per hour, is now ready to be re-assembled, Richland said, with all of the outstanding engineering work expected to be finished within the next 15 days. Electrical work will start after this.
The application for earthworks has been lodged with the Queensland authorities, with tailings dam options also now being assessed and water rights applications currently being prepared.
Options for the tailings dam include the redevelopment of the existing tailings combined with the development of a new section to the tailings dam circuit. The separation process for the project involves no chemical additives and relies purely on gravity and water. Work has also commenced on the project's sapphire sorting, concentrating and grading facility.
Bernard Olivier, Richland Resource’s chief executive, added: "A series of key engineering tasks have now been completed at the Capricorn Sapphire mine in Queensland and no major issues have surfaced affecting the commissioning schedule.
"Our objective is to be able to rapidly restart sapphire production at the mine and sell quality, certificated sapphire sourced within a politically stable region for mining."