Westgold Resources has reported a record gold yield for the month of May, an eight per cent increase on April production.
Bluebird mine produced 49 thousand tonnes (kt) at 4.0 grams per tonne of gold (g/t), yielding 6.3 thousand ounces (koz) of gold for the month. This is an increase from April production of 48kt at 3.7g/t for 5.8koz.
Bluebird is one of the primary ore sources feeding Westgold’s 1.6 to 1.8 million tonne per annum processing plant at Meekatharra. This a consecutive record production month shows momentum is continuing to build at Bluebird, the company says.
Westgold also discovered a new high-grade intercept at Bluebird outside of the current mineral resource. The intercept returned 9 meters at 13.6 grams per tonne of gold from 638.4 meters.
Westgold managing director Wayne Bramwell reacted to the results.
“The excitement around our Bluebird underground operation continues to grow. Following a massive rain event late in April, the Bluebird team has smashed another production record in May with 49kt, delivering 6.3koz at above the scheduled mine grade,” he said.
“Improving month on month output reflects increasing understanding of the geological controls and improved operational execution. Time will tell how big this system can be.
“Westgold has doubled the output from this mine in the last 12 months and our drilling has not yet defined the vertical or lateral limits of this system.”
Westgold has accelerated surface drilling at the site and has completed infill drilling from underground drill platforms.
Data received from the program has indicated that the expansion could produce upwards of 50,000 tonnes per month once operational.
The mine has had a strong year so far, with drilling conducted in February also intercepting high-grade bodies.