Aurelia Metals (ASX:AMI) has returned to 24-hour development activities in the first stope production area in the upper levels of the Federation mine in New South Wales, after being impacted by wet weather conditions.
Earlier this month, underground mine development work at Federation began, with a 30 megalitre (ML) water management sump dam complete and being used.
The Federation deposit hosts zinc, lead, copper, gold and silver and sits 10km south of the Hera site in the Cobar Basin.
Aurelia Metals, which has a market capitalisation of $363.68 million, says construction on the main water management dam is well progressed and expected to be complete in the second quarter of next year.
A 30ML lined sump dam within the footprint of the larger water management dam is being constructed to provide access to storage capacity. The sump dam is operational and receiving water.
CEO Bryan Quinn says accelerating the infrastructure projects has been important to ensure the medium-term performance is not impacted by ongoing weather events.
“The project team remain focused on completion of the water management dam to provide an engineered solution for the management of any further wet weather and water related challenges on site.”
A water treatment plant has been hired and arrived on site in early July, with commissioning finalised late last week. Environmental Protection Authority approval has been received and the water treatment plant is operational, enabling the mine decline to be dewatered over one to two weeks.
The company notes four water cannons and two twin fan misting evaporators are in operation at Hera to reduce onsite water levels. A third misting evaporator and three pressure sprayers will be added in the near future.
Aurelia Metals says the infrastructure is expected to provide permanent water management solution for the project and Hera that will mitigate the risk of water interrupting development activity in the future.
Aurelia Metals is an Australian miner and explorer focused on its landholding and two operating mines in New South Wales.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Aurelia Metals
