Roca Mines has updated IM on construction and development activities for its Phase I, 500 t/d mine at the MAX molybdenum project, 60 km southeast of Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada. In underground development, Genex Mining has completed rehabilitation of rail and services in the 960-m adit and the development of refuge stations, required for underground operations, is progressing well and on schedule. A drill jumbo and LHD are also being mobilized in preparation for decline development to the planned stoping areas.
Contractors have now removed all of the motors and small equipment in the mill and are ready to begin transport to MAX. Much of the mill building’s structural steel, including roof trusses and column supports are currently being dismantled and also being readied for transport. The separate crusher building, transfer tower and equipment are also being dismantled. This work is expected to be completed shortly, prior to transport to the MAX site.
Final site selection for both the mill and crusher buildings has been completed. These sites have been optimized to provide bedrock foundations thereby limiting total reinforced concrete requirements for equipment and structures. Formwork for mill bases, bin supports and crusher bases will commence in August, followed by formwork for structural building components.
Sacré Davey Engineering has completed an initial structural review of the mill and crusher buildings and will provide design updates and modifications required to meet code and snow loads at the MAX site. These modifications will be completed after the building is re-erected at the MAX site.
JFM Pacific Engineering has been engaged to provide design of an electrical power and distribution system for
the project, including the specification and procurement of diesel generator sets for mine and mill.
Test trenching at the proposed tailings facility has confirmed bedrock foundations at the proposed dam sites. This work has also provided access for detailed surveying and final dam design/alignment by BGC Engineering. BGC has also completed a borrow material investigation and concludes that materials exist within and nearby the basin for earthworks construction.
Roca aims to be the first new primary molybdenum producer in Canada, with production commencing in autumn 2006. The fully permitted and fast tracked Phase I mine plan for MAX will focus on the deposit’s high-grade zone containing 280,000 t (measured and indicated) grading 1.95% MoS2. Mine expansion will be determined by prevailing prices for molybdenum in 2007 and beyond. Molybdenum currently trades in the $24 – 25/lb range.