Theta Gold Mines Ltd (ASX:TGM) has set in motion a work program to drive gold production at its TGME Underground Project in South Africa.
The work program largely comprises the upgrading of the maiden underground pre-feasibility study (PFS) to a definitive feasibility study (DFS) and commencement of trial mining.
Definitive feasibility studies are expected to be completed for Beta, Frankfort, CDM and Rietfontein underground mines by the second quarter of 2022.
“New discoveries”
Theta Chairman Bill Guy said: “Recently I had an exciting trip to South Africa. I’ve spent many hours with the team onsite and in Johannesburg working on future strategies and mine developments.
“On-site, we walked many kilometers through underground workings at the TGME underground mines, including new accessible areas such as Beta Mine South, which is not yet in our Resource Statement.
“The team was very keen to share new discoveries, closed-concreted portals that can be used to access the Frankfurt Mine reefs and upper levels of Peach Tree and Iota reef systems.
“While I was on-site, new power lines were been installed by the government (Eskom) passing close to the Northern sections of our mining permits and not far from the Frankfurt Mine, this will allow easy access to electricity across our entire Northern tenement package (Frankfurt and Vaalhoek mines).
“The planned work for the next three quarters should deliver another resource upgrade and increasing mining reserves. The current phase 1 underground project PFS will be converted into a DFS, and the environmental studies and designs will continue as per project plan.”
Trial Mining
Theta expects to reopen the historic Frankfort mine during the quarter where trail mining will begin on the Frankfort Bevetts reef.
The company has planned trial mining at the Frankfort Mine, which will consist of long-hole mechanised mining utilizing modern underground mining methods and technologies.
Notably, no development is necessary to undertake the trial mining as the stopes are easily accessible through the existing horizontal adits and old mine development.
A mechanical Boart Longyear S36 drill rig will be utilized to drill the blast holes, the Theta team will work with several reputable explosives suppliers to participate in the explosive trail of pumpable emulsion explosives.
Planned underground exploration
Theta will conduct an additional study to identify, sample and test numerous surface sources of historic waste and tailings dumps that are believed to contain payable limits of gold.
In addition, a planned underground exploration drilling program is to be undertaken at the Beta North, Frankfort and Rietfontein mines with additional metallurgical test work to continue at both Frankfort and Beta.
Furthermore, exploration in the Beta Mine South section is underway with the initial sampling to consist of a 12-meter sampling grid, which will add to the existing resource tables.
ESG program
The Theta Environmental Social Governance (ESG) program will be progressed with the continuation of environmental studies and engineering designs as part of the environmental management plan.
Importantly, the license to operate the project will be further strengthened with the appointment of Kongiwe environmental engagement specialists to lead the stakeholder engagement program.
Environmental rehabilitation will continue with old mining footprint cleanups at the Beta Mine North and the site preparation of the old process plant, which may entail the demolition of old and unnecessary equipment.
Engineering work on the tailing dam extension and final design will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2021.
This engineering design of the tailings dam, subject to final approval, should firm up the initial tailings capacity to 2.1 million tons.
The tailings dam will have a life of mine of 9 years and support the current phase 1 underground project.
- Ephrems Joseph