Capricorn Metals will boost annual gold production at its Karlawinda operation by 25 per cent, after receiving the green light from the Western Australian Government for the project’s expansion.
The WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) has
approved Capricorn’s plans to power ahead with the Karlawinda Expansion Project (KEP), which covers additional mining and construction undertakings at the Pilbara-based operation.
With the approval in hand, Capricorn is set to move forward with expanded mining activities across the Bibra, Southern Corridor, and Berwick open pits. The government nod also enables the construction of a new tailings storage facility, an additional run-of-mine (ROM) pad, extensions to the southern waste dump, and infrastructure works to support a larger processing plant.
The expansion includes the installation of a new parallel three-stage crushing and ball mill circuit, designed to increase processing capacity to 6.5 million tonnes per annum.
This upgrade is expected to boost the site’s annual gold production to 150,000 ounces.
“We are really excited to have received approval for the construction and development of the Karlawinda Expansion Project,” Capricorn executive chairman Mark Clark said.
“We have been working hard over the past 12 months to be as prepared as possible for commencement of the project and that should allow an expedited start to construction.
“We look forward to delivering a project that will lift gold production at the low cost,
high margin Karlawinda operation by 25 per cent to around 150,000 ounces per annum and should deliver significant value for Capricorn shareholders.”
