Australian explorer and developer Bellevue Gold said in a new quarterly activities report this week that, despite obstacles in its time schedule, it remains on time and on budget and is focused on first production in June 2023 for its namesake operation.

The Eastern Goldfields project had slowed its progress due to turnout problems with pump infrastructure, electric and ventilation issues. To date, Bellevue said, development has recorded 3,797 metres, and its plan for the March quarter will include camp construction and progress on major development contracts for power, processing and underground infrastructure.

Moreover, its Armand and Marceline declines continue to be advanced to the North and the Viago Decline to the South, setting up future drilling and production platforms.

The rehabilitation works of the Paris decline have been largely completed, with only minor rehabilitation activities expected and work transitioning to fresh development for the remainder of the pre-production period,” the report said. 

“An optimised primary ventilation plan is currently being implemented with completion of the upgrade and installation of the primary fan to follow. Dewatering upgrades were also completed, with the second stage bore pump successfully installed in order to provide capability to completely dewater the historic mine.”

Bellevue officials noted that it has been able to work safely, reporting zero lost-time incidents for the period just past, helping progress to remain on track.

“It was a highly successful quarter which saw us deliver results in line with our strategy on every front,” Bellevue Managing Director Steve Parsons said, adding that the project is now fully funded. 

“I am confident that…we will achieve our goal of becoming [an approximately] 200,000 ounce-per-year producer with a long mine life and strong growth prospects.”

Source: Bellevue Gold