Galena Mining Ltd (ASX:G1A) has made strong construction progress, achieving 73% completion at its Abra Base Metals Mine in the Gascoyne Region of Western Australia.
In the last month, key equipment has arrived on site which includes the remaining mill equipment, secondary and tertiary cone crushers and the remaining LNG tanks.
What’s more, the completion of the installation of 16,000 solar panels also delivers another significant construction milestone.
“Rapidly progressing”
Galena managing director Tony James said: “Construction activities are rapidly progressing with concrete poured at 2,378 cubic metres (95% complete) and structural steel installation already up to 237 tonnes (42% complete).
“Arrival of key overseas supplied equipment being the remaining mill equipment, secondary and tertiary cone crushers, and LNG tanks has certainly reduced risk and energised the remaining work programs.
“Decline mining delays occurred over 12 days in June, when the decline intercepted an un-grouted drill hole, which produced water, requiring an increase in pumping capacity.
“This was quickly rectified, and the mine plans were updated to keep the mining schedule aligned with the plant construction and commissioning timeframe.
“Underground grade control drilling continued in June in preparation for ore mining as planned.”
Processing plant construction, mill, flotation, thickening and concentrate sections.
Progress at Abra
Overall progress continues to remain in line for project completion followed by the first commercial production in the March quarter of 2023.
The processing plant engineering, procurement and construction have reached 79% complete.
The flotation cells are completed and are waiting for shipping from China and the regrind mill is currently shipping from Germany and is expected in Melbourne by August 12.
Mine decline development was delayed in June for 12 days when the west decline intercepted an un-grouted diamond drill hole forcing an upgrade in the mine dewatering capacity.
In surface bulk earthworks, good progress was made on the tailing’s storage facility (TSF) during June.
The final works package associated with the remaining non-processing infrastructure is progressing as planned.