EARLIER this month Group 6 Metals (G6M) provided an update on their progress to the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).
The Key highlights were:
• G6M remains on track to achieve first concentrate production in Q1 2023
• Over 95% of OEM equipment for process plant has been delivered to site, or to Gekko factory at Ballarat, and is being prepared for installation
• With major civil works now 90% complete, civil contractor is demobilising with only minor further works required for mine infrastructure areas
• Mechanical installation of the primary crushing circuit, screening, fine ore bin and associated conveyors are complete and electrical works have commenced
• Main process building successfully erected and civil slabs poured in preparation for equipment installation
• Installation of diversion and base drains is complete, and construction has commenced at the Tailing Storage Facility (TSF)
• Dedicated power station on track to provide power for commissioning works to commence in January 2023
• Plans for drilling at the Investigator prospects, located 6km west of Dolphin, are progressing with drilling activities
The first tungsten concentrate is due from the Dolphin mine in the March quarter of next year is expected to commence in early November G6M Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Keith McKnight, said in the update construction activities at DTM had rapidly increased pace over the last 6-8 weeks with significant progress achieved in key areas of construction.
“Major civil works have now been completed, which has opened additional areas for Gekko Systems to accelerate mechanical and electrical installation works for the process plant in preparation for commissioning in early 2023.
“The mechanical installation of the crushers, screening equipment and associated conveyors are substantially complete and electrical installation has commenced. “Erection of the main process building has been completed, ready for installation of the gantry crane and electrical fit out. “Construction has commenced on stage 1 of the Tailing Storage Facility with installation of the clean water diversion drains and foundation works for the walls. The TSF access roads and walls are being constructed from rock mined from inside the open cut pit shell, which is an efficient use of material which would otherwise be mined as part of the mining sequence.
“Works are also progressing well on other mine infrastructure areas such as the process water treatment facility, diesel power station, workshop, site office and tailings pumping. “Our site team and contractors continue to work in an efficient and safe manner with the project achieving 273 Lost Time Incident Free days to the end of September in challenging construction conditions through the winter months.
“Longer and warmer days will be welcomed with the onset of summer, which will benefit the project greatly as we progress to construction completion, commissioning and first concentrate in March 2023.”
The Company has made substantial progress on the installation of the crushing, screening and material handling equipment and associated supporting structures, with mechanical installation substantially complete and electrical installation commenced. The main process building is mostly complete, and installation of internal equipment has commenced. The Company has received two grants under the EDGI program totalling $75,000 for exploration drilling.
Group 6 Metals is undertaking planning activities to mobilise a drill rig to King Island in early November, to conduct a drill program comprising 3-4 diamond core holes to test the western margin of the Grassy Granite, north of the Investigator 21 Prospect.