Ora Banda Mining has recommissioned its Davyhurst gold process plant in Western Australia with new infrastructure and on 7 February celebrated the first gold pour from the property.

The processing facility received supporting infrastructure to allow it to produce 1.2 million tonnes annually, including a new mine camp area, and upgraded and commissioned bore fields for potable and process water supplies. It also included a new 8.25-megawatt gas- and diesel-fired power station, chemical storage, upgraded road instructure and more.

Processing operations at the mine are stable, Ora Banda said, with a throughput rate nearing 1 million tonnes annually. It first began mining last October.

Managing Director David Quinlivan said the gold pour is another milestone for the company: its transition from developer to producer. 

“It has been an impressive team effort to deliver this project into production under the uniquely challenging circumstances of 2020 and 2021. Our focus now remains on the continued ramp up of activity as we progress toward steady state and the ultimate goal of delivering a long-life and sustainable gold operation,” he added.

He also noted that, currently, Ora Banda is well placed to progress its process circuit optimisation and production ramp-up with in excess of 200,000 t of ROM stocks available for processing.

Davyhurst is located about 120 kilometres northwest of Kalgoorlie, and is accessible from the Goldfields Highway.

Source: orabandamining.com.au