The PureGold Mine (above) makes significant strides in August toward the goal of consistently producing 1,000 mt per day of high-grade ore by the end of the year. (Photo: Pure Gold)
Pure Gold Mining Inc. completed a new single-day record at the PureGold mine in Red Lake, Ontario, of 1,037 metric tons per day (mt/d) or ore on August 31, 30% higher than the current design capacity of 800 mt/d. This record is thanks to the completed installation of all six CIP interstage screens and a trommel screen on the SAG mill, according to the company.
The company mined high-grade stopes from both Main Ramp and the East Ramp areas for the first full calendar month in August leading to a new single-day production record of 2,050 mt/d of ore brought to surface on August 17. It also poured 5,535 ounces of gold during the month of August, a new monthly record.
Major milestones anticipated for the remainder of 2021 include completion of mill pump upgrades in September, which will further stabilize mill capacity at 1,000 mt/d; quarter-over-quarter increases in both head grade and ore throughput for the balance of 2021, driven by improving ore inventory and stope availability as a result of accelerated ramp and level development and increased definition drilling; and announcement of start date for initial underground drill program targeting 8 Zone.
“The PureGold Mine made significant strides in August toward our goal of consistently producing 1,000 mt per day of high-grade ore by the end of the year,” President and CEO Darin Labrenz said. “By completing the installation of interstage screens on the CIP tanks and a trommel screen on the SAG mill, we have increased the processing capacity of the operation by at least 25% compared to the original design capacity of 800 mt/d. The mine, now with two independent haulage ways at full-scale production, has also demonstrated its ability to produce well beyond 800 mt/d.”
Labrenz said the company is now targeting a step-up to 1,000 mt/d in the fourth quarter and expect to average 850-950 mt/d over the full fourth quarter.
“We also expect head grades will continue increasing steadily as we get deeper into the orebody over the coming quarters,” he added. “Taken together, these factors are expected to drive an increase in gold production and a decrease in unit costs quarter-over-quarter through the end of this year and into 2022.”
