Galena Mining Ltd (ASX:G1A) continues to make strong progress at its Abra Base Metals Mine in the Gascoyne Region of Western Australia, with 78% of construction completed at the end of last month.
Since the July update, installation of the ball-mill components has commenced while total underground development exceeded 2 kilometres in early August.
“Construction activities have progressed past 78% complete. Most of the concrete work has been completed and structural steel installation increased to 352 tonnes (72% complete),” Galena managing director Tony James said.
“Plant construction work is quickly progressing into the mechanical, piping, and electrical fit out stages. It’s also pleasing to see the progress being made with the operational readiness activities including first fills and critical spares, with orders placed for over 75% of the items”.
Progress of the underground mine development to July 31 (yellow)
Completion on track
The project remains on track for completion, including the targeted first commercial production in the first quarter of next year.
Owners' costs and contingencies remain within budget too.
The processing plant engineering, procurement and construction is 85% completed.
What remains to be delivered are the flotation cells and the regrind mill. The flotation equipment is currently in shipment to Fremantle, while the flotation cells are expected to arrive by September 2. The regrind mill is being shipped from Germany and should arrive in Melbourne by August 20.
A total of 243 metres of mine decline was developed last month and by the end of July, 16 underground diamond drill holes have been completed.
In surface bulk earthworks, 50% of the tailings storage facility (TSF) has been completed.
The final works package associated with the remaining non-processing infrastructure is also progressing as planned.
Ball mill installation