Meeka Metals (ASX:MEK) has begun open pit mining activities at the Murchison Gold Project in Western Australia ahead of schedule.
A mining contractor has mobilised to site and is starting a 2m lift of the southern tailings storage facility, which is expected to be completed in mid-March 2025.
Meeka, which has a market capitalisation of $325.4 million, says expansion works on the carbon-in-leach (CIL) gold processing plant are continuing to progress rapidly.
As such, the new mill deck and cyclone structure has been installed and the company has completed the installation of the final 145m3 CIL tank.
Installation of the new cyanide storage tank access and unloading platforms has also been completed.
In conjunction, progress has been made on the new electrical switch room area, and Meeka is continuing to inspect, test, and replace various pipework where needed, as well as cabling, pumps, wear billets, liners and lighting.
Managing Director Tim Davidson says with mining activities beginning in February 2025, the company has achieved an important milestone.
“It reflects our deliberate and focused actions to deliver on the development schedule, and in this instance exceed it, bringing the project and the company closer to first gold in mid-2025.”
Open pit support infrastructure, including administration complex and fuel storage facilities, has been commissioned, while a heavy vehicle workshop is also nearing completion.
The Murchison Gold Project, covering the northern extent of the Mount Magnet and Youanmi Shear Zones, hosts 1.2 million ounces of gold @ 3 grams per tonne.
Meeka Metals is a Western Australian developer and explorer with a portfolio of projects prospective for gold.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Meeka Metals
