Australian gold producer Calidus Resources (ASX:CAI) reports that its Warrawoona Gold Project Processing Plant operated at a ‘significantly’ higher level than nameplate throughput during January 2023.
The company says annualised run rates of 2.5mtpa, and 2.6mtpa were achieved in the last 2 weeks of January respectively, representing a 4% increase, and an 8% increase in mill throughput to nameplate.
With the Processing Plant demonstrating that it can out-perform for extended periods, Calidus reports an increase in milling by a minimum of 10% above nameplate is being targeted for the remainder of the March quarter. The February milling rates are currently averaging 347 tonnes per hour (t/hr) versus the 300t/hr nameplate.
“We are pleased to see nameplate mill capacity exceeded in the second half of January at Warrawoona”
Commenting on the increased production, Calidus Resources Managing Director Dave Reeves said: “We are pleased to see nameplate mill capacity exceeded in the second half of January at Warrawoona and we look forward to steadily increasing monthly gold production through increased milling rates and a higher head grade as mining rates improve.
This allows a higher proportion of ROM (run of mine) grade ore and less lower grade material to be processed. We anticipate a marked improvement to forecast AISC (all-in-sustaining-costs) as operational improvements in the mill and mine are bedded down.”
Calidus reports mining movement increased to 484,000 BCMs, which represents a 31% improvement in mining productivity to December.
The reconciliation of milled head grades to the mine predicted head grades, derived from the grade control model, has improved to be within 7% as mining operations performance continues to improve.
The company says the culmination of these improvements are likely to have a material impact to the forecast all-in-sustaining-cost (AISC) at Warrawoona.
Calidus Resources is an ASX-listed gold producer that is focused on ramping up the 1.7 million ounce Warrawoona Gold Project, located in the East Pilbara district of Western Australia.
The company also holds the Blue Spec Gold Project located 70km from Warrawoona, and holds a 50% interest in Pirra Lithium which in turn holds the Spear Hill Project near Marble Bar in Western Australia.
