Gold Road Resources Ltd. and Gold Fields’ Gruyere Mining Co. Pty Ltd. reported that the Gruyere gold mine, located approximately 200 kilometers east of Laverton in Western Australia, achieved commercial production at the end of September. This milestone was attained slightly ahead of guidance for midway through the anticipated ramp-up period of 6 to 7 months. The ramp up commenced after the commissioning of the ball mill in early August.
Commercial production was based on a predetermined minimum total process plant throughput rate of 70% of nameplate capacity, and a minimum average gold recovery of 85% of expected life of mine metallurgical recovery, measured over a month, with the expectation that these metrics will continue to be met or exceeded in the future.
The Gruyere Joint Venture now anticipates gold production for 2019 to be at the upper end of the guidance of 75,000 ounces (oz) to 100,000 oz. AISC for the December 2019 quarter is guided between A$1,050/oz ($709/oz) and A$1,150/oz ($776/oz), slightly higher than forecast life-of-mine average of A$1,025/oz ($692/oz) as production continues to ramp-up to full nameplate capacity. Capital costs for the project remain within the previously announced A$621 million ($419 million). Life-of-mine average annual production is forecast at approximately 300,000 oz/y.
