Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX:BGL) welcomes a major milestone in the construction of its Bellevue Gold Project in WA, reaching the first development ore.
The high-grade Armand lode is one of five independent mining areas to be developed in preparation for commercial production to allow for maximum flexibility in mine-scheduling.
The company says the lode was intersected as predicted during access development and tallies with the resource model.
Run-of-mine stockpile
The maiden Armand development ore heading has a weighted average grade for the development face of 7.0g/t. This material will be stockpiled on the run-of-mine (ROM) pad ahead of first production.
Bellevue’s ROM stockpile is forecast to exceed 200,000 tonnes at more than 5g/t gold ahead of plant commissioning in the second half of 2023, which will significantly de-risk the ramp up phase.
Underground development rates will continue to increase in line with underground development schedule
Record underground development
Underground development kicked off in August 2020 and production rates continue to ramp up.
Contractor Develop Global Ltd achieved a site record of 325 metres for the month of June with a single jumbo operating and is on track to exceed that figure this month.
Since Develop started the work in May, underground development rates have increased by 60%. Underground development rates will continue to increase in line with the schedule.
Camp development advances
In addition, camp construction is advancing on time and budget with 316 rooms landed, 120 rooms completed and the associated dry mess and central facilities operational. The camp is due for completion this quarter.
The company is in the process of establishing two more independent production areas in the southern production centre.
The strategy is designed to deliver a diversified, low-risk operation with maximum flexibility and scalability.