Westgold Resources’ is on track to expand its Bluebird gold mine after recent drilling works found high-grade ore deposits.
Located near Meekatharra in Western Australia, Bluebird recently set a gold production record at the site for April of 5800 ounces.
Three drill rigs are now operational at the site, with a second diamond drilling rig mobilised to accelerate the expansion.
“Westgold’s operational team has nearly doubled the monthly mining rate from this asset in the last 12 months with the production record achieved in April a credit to their efforts,” Westgold managing director Wayne Bramwell said.
“With success in our latest drilling, we now turn our attention to areas outside of the current Bluebird mine footprint.
“Our confidence in this system continues to build and with three drill rigs extending mine life and defining the South Junction opportunity, Westgold is now accelerating the next stage of expansion for this asset.”
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.
“Our current FY23 expansion of the Bluebird underground mine to approximately 600,000 (tonnes per annum) from the currently defined resource is on track,” Bramwell said at the time.
“Westgold now has the operational discipline, team and equipment to simultaneously expand Bluebird and systemically test the broader Bluebird Deeps – South Junction system, with a much larger-scale mine than currently planned, key to enhancing the long-term profitability of our Murchison operations.”