Pantoro Ltd (ASX:PNR) has received the green light to start construction on the gold processing plant for its jointly-owned Norseman Gold Project in WA’s Eastern Goldfields.
The gold explorer, producer and project developer secured the final necessary approvals to kickstart construction on the hub earlier this month and is now in building mode.
Commenting on the development, managing director Paul Cmrlec said: “Pantoro is delighted to advise that construction at Norseman is underway, opening a new chapter for this world-class goldfield.
“We look forward to working closely with our key construction partners to deliver the project as planned and then commence production.”
Construction underway
With approvals now in place, works can now commence on Norseman’s gold hub.
Some of the key early-stage activities include:
- Processing plant constructor GR Engineering has substantially mobilised to site with work underway;
- The old processing plant demolition and site cleanup has been completed with the site prepared for immediate construction;
- The new accommodation village is operational with construction personnel being housed in the new facility;
- Site civil and earthworks are underway; and
- Around 65,000 tonnes of gold-bearing ore was recovered from the foundations of the old processing plant and is immediately available for processing plant start-up.
Norseman project
Pantoro acquired 50% of the Norseman asset in July 2019 and manages the joint venture vehicle.
The project’s current mineral resource stands at 4.2 million ounces of gold with an ore reserve of 602,000 ounces.
Pantoro announced a maiden ore reserve on the Norseman project in conjunction with its phase one definitive feasibility study on October 12, 2020.
Interestingly, many of the mineral resources defined to date remain open along strike and at depth, while several have only been tested to shallow depths.
Historically, the Norseman Gold Project regions have produced more than 5.5 million ounces of gold since operations began in 1935, and is one of, if not the highest grade fields within the Yilgarn Craton.