Introducing Test Mining at Madsen
West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. is thrilled to announce that it has kicked off its test mining and bulk sample program at the Madsen Mine. This initiative marks a vital step in preparing for a planned restart in 2025, which significantly enhances the economic prospects of the project.
Goals and Expectations of the Program
Shane Williams, President and CEO of West Red Lake Gold, shares that the program aims to provide valuable insights that will shape the best mining practices at Madsen. By analyzing the difference between modeled resources and the actual quantities extracted, the company hopes to improve its operational strategies, leading to a safer and more efficient mining process.
Key Objectives of Test Mining
The test mining program is designed around three main goals:
- Identify the most effective mining methods for safe and efficient operations in the various underground environments at Madsen.
- Facilitate informed decision-making regarding regions near historic stopes, which is essential since some resource buffers might shift based on outcomes from the trial mining.
- Produce bulk samples that can be processed once the mill starts up, ensuring accurate reconciliations of expected versus actual mining outputs.
Overview of the Bulk Sample Program
The company plans to run this bulk sampling initiative for four months, during which it aims to extract about 5,000 tonnes from each targeted area across four identified locations. Crews have already started working on access points for long hole stoping in the Austin 1099/1100 sector.
Selected Areas for Test Mining
The chosen mining zones represent a variety of geological environments, allowing the team to collect data on average gold grades and evaluate the effectiveness of different mining techniques. Each designated area holds significant potential:
- McVeigh Lenses 1453 and 1406: This area is expected to produce 26,300 tonnes at a grade of 7.15 grams per tonne gold and is scheduled for Long Hole Stoping (LHS) operations.
- South Austin Lens 1155: With an expected yield of around 73,300 tonnes at 5.66 g/t gold, this sector will help validate geological models alongside LHS methods.
- Austin Lens 1099/1100: The remnant mining in this area anticipates about 6,700 tonnes at a grade of 5.39 g/t gold, utilizing a mixture of MCF and LHS techniques.
- South Austin Lenses 1136 and 1148: Targeting an expected 8,300 tonnes at a grade of 5.60 g/t, this area aims to confirm earlier resource estimates.
Looking Ahead: Conclusions and Future Plans
West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. is dedicated to navigating the challenges of the high-grade resources at Madsen effectively. Through its test mining program, the company aims to make informed decisions that will increase mine safety and operational effectiveness. As the project progresses, updates will be provided on the outcomes, including comparisons between projected performance and actual results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main objective of the test mining program at Madsen?
The primary goal is to collect operational data and improve mining methods before the mine restarts in 2025.
How long will the bulk sample program last?
The program is expected to run for four months, focusing on systematic extraction and resource analysis.
What methods will be used during the mining process?
A combination of Long Hole Stoping (LHS) and Mechanized Cut and Fill (MCF) methods will be applied based on the conditions in each area.
What is the expected gold grade in the mined material?
The average gold grade across the target areas is about 5.98 grams per tonne.
Who is overseeing the technical aspects of the project?
Maurice Mostert, P.Eng., Vice President of Technical Services at West Red Lake Gold, is responsible for the technical oversight of the program.
