Red 5 Ltd (ASX:RED) has started commissioning the crushing circuit as it remains firmly on track for first gold production at the 2.4-million-ounce King of the Hills (KOTH) Gold Project in Western Australia next quarter.
The commissioning was one of the key construction and development milestones achieved in January at the 100%-owned, 16-year life-of-mine KOTH project with another including the start of open pit mining.
KOTH therefore remains within budget and on schedule for first gold production in the June quarter.
Red 5 has released a construction flyover video from February 3, 2022:
"Getting to pointy end"
Managing director Mark Williams said: “January has been another busy month at King of the Hills, with our construction and development teams continuing to fire on all cylinders.
“It’s great to see the final elements of this new, long-life gold mine rapidly taking shape, as is evident from our latest flyover video of the site.
“January delivered important progress across a number of key areas at site and we are now getting to the pointy end of completion activities. Recent key milestones have included the commencement of open pit mining and the start of commissioning of the crushing circuit.”
SAG mill shell, motors, girth gear, mill lubrication skid and process plant control room are in position.
January progress
Key construction progress during January included:
- The crushing circuit switchroom has been energised;
- Piping and electrical installation for the SAG mill and carbon-in-leach tank areas is underway;
- All site powerline poles have been installed and transmission lines are nearing completion;
- The first of the borefields pipelines has been tested and is operational;
- The embankment lift on Tailings Storage Facility 4A is complete and installation of the tails pipeline and spigots has commenced;
- Commissioning of the power station black-start generators is complete (and currently supplying
- commissioning power for the crusher), while the six gas engines have been installed and are on track for commissioning as soon as gas is available;
- The gas pressure reduction and metering facility has been constructed and pre-commissioning has commenced;
- 95% of the gas pipeline has been installed; and
- The KOTH village is at full capacity, with both construction and operations crews utilising the camp.
Next steps
SAG mill commissioning is expected to begin later in the March quarter once gas power is available and electrical and piping installation for the mill has been completed.
A busy KOTH Village, which is now at full capacity.
Once commissioning of the crusher has been completed, Red 5 will begin building ore stockpiles in advance of sending first ore to the mill.
Williams said: “Another big shout-out to our development team and contracting partner, MACA Interquip, who continue to meet the construction milestones despite the obvious labour and supply challenges being experienced across the industry.
“I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of our mining team and mining contractor Macmahon for their endeavours and achievements to date.
“I am also pleased to say that our people have done a fantastic job to date regarding COVID management and we have excellent protocols and systems in place to protect the health and safety of our people and minimise the impact of any future outbreak on our operations.”