Capricorn Metals (ASX:CMM) has received regulatory approval for the development of the Karlawinda Expansion Project in Western Australia.
The approval allows the company to undertake all expanded mining activities at the Bibra, Southern Corridor, and Berwick open pits, as well as the construction and development of the tailings storage facility 2, additional run-of-mine paid, and extensions to the southern waste dump.
Capricorn adds the approval also allows for construction works of the expanded processing plant, as well as other infrastructure development required for Karlawinda.
The Karlawinda Project will include the installation of a new parallel three-stage crushing and ball mill circuit to increase the total processing capacity from 4 million tonnes per year to 6.5 million tonnes per year. The average annual gold production is forecast to increase around 25% from current levels to the order of 150,000 ounces.
During the June quarter, Capricorn extended MACA’s mining contract for an additional five-year term, which includes a larger mining fleet required to deliver an increased mining volume to serve 6.5 million tonnes per year of ore feed to the project.
A 164-room camp expansion was also constructed, with $4.1 million spent and largely completed. The process plant design scope was progressed to 60% complete and procurement works of critical path items continued.
The Karlawinda Project is located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Capricorn Metals is an Australian gold producer and operates within two distinct project areas.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Capricorn Metals
