Evolution Mining has officially begun an expansion that will see processing throughput at its Mungari gold operations in Western Australia more than double to 4.2 million tonnes of ore per year.
The expansion project will focus on the Mungari processing plant, which has now entered a commissioning phase that will continue throughout the June quarter.
Once completed, Mungari’s mine life will be extended to at least 2038, which will be underpinned by a transition to an average annual production rate of 200,000 ounces of gold per year, a 50 per cent increase on current rates.
WA Minister for Mines David Michael and Member for Kalgoorlie Ali Kent were both on hand at Mungari to celebrate the achievement.
Evolution managing director and chief executive officer Lawrie Conway said the project has been delivered nine months ahead of the original schedule with a current estimated final cost of $228 million, now nine per cent under the original budget.
“Today we celebrate the operational handover of a construction project that has been executed safely, efficiently, ahead of the original schedule and under the original budget,” Conway said.
“This incredible achievement would not have been possible without the collective efforts of our employees, contracting partners including GR Engineering Services, NRW Holdings, MLG Oz and local stakeholders, for which I am very thankful.
“It’s a proud moment for all of us and an important milestone for the Mungari operation, which will now transition back to a major cash contributor for Evolution.”
The milestone has been achieved amidst an era of plenty for Evolution, which last month tripled its dividends.
In addition to Mungari, Evolution operates Cowal and Northparkes mines in New South Wales, Ernest Henry and Mt Rawdon in Queensland and Red Lake in Canada.
