Cauldron Energy Ltd (ASX:CXU) has started mobilising a team of exploration specialists and experienced mining personnel to the Blackwood Goldfield site in central Victoria to organise logistics and make plans for the upcoming high-priority drill program.
Cauldron’s team is expected to be on-site for five to seven days and this follows the recent approval by Earth Resource Regulation (the regulator associated with the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions), of the company’s work plan for the historic gold producing area.
The upcoming high-priority drilling aims to target the projected high-grade plunges below historical mine shafts and workings at the Pioneer, Sultana, Sultan and North Sultan shafts.
The work plan
The approved work plan allows Cauldron access to around 1.5 kilometres of walk-in level drive directly underneath historically mined areas via the Tyreconnel Adit.
This drive crosses the Eastern lodes including the Annie Laurie and Grace Edgerton reefs into and across the Western lode system, hosting the Pioneer, Mounters and Sultan reefs.
Cauldron’s team’s objective will be to set in place plans to quickly establish site facilities and development of the underground drill platforms.
Community engagement
At the site, Cauldron’s team will also undertake community engagement programs aimed at outlining the company’s work approach and objectives.
The planned underground drilling and sampling can be expected to have a minimal surface impact.
In order to minimise impact, Cauldron’s vision at Blackwood is to combine the best of traditional and modern mining methods.
The company plans to bring miners experienced in the older handheld rail and shaft mining systems to help achieve this more environmentally sensitive mining approach.
The high-grade bonanza type mineralisation found historically at Blackwood lends itself to this mining system, because it reduces the dilution of ore by waste material and lessens the requirement to use a highly mechanised style of mining.
The company plans to use small-scale handheld mining techniques to open access for drilling, mapping and sampling.
Communicating with community
A critical part of the team’s visit will be to communicate the low impact on the built and natural environment that this work entails.
The company is sensitive to the concerns of community groups and has met with them previously and its goals of minimal surface impact and reduction in harm to the pristine lifestyle of this are communicated directly to residents.
Cauldron’s community-based approach will be published on local forums and communicated both verbally and in writing.