The Young-Davidson gold mine is operated by AuRico and located near the town of Matachewan, approximately 60 km west of Kirkland Lake in Northern Ontario. The property is situated on the site of two past producing mines that produced 1 Moz of gold in the 1930s–1950s period. With the assistance of the XPS Plant Support group, the mine declared commercial production in September 2012 on schedule.
Current production is coming from an open pit forecast to have produced 65,000-75,000 ounces in 2012 and 135,000-155,000 oz in 2013. The mine is expected to ramp-up to over 250,000 oz of annual peak production by 2016. XPS provided experienced metallurgists to support the mill commissioning and subsequent stabilisation of the processes.
As part of the support XPS provided, the group also developed and delivered operator training packages for key areas within the mill. As part of the mill stabilisation effort XPS has been called upon to complete diagnostic testwork at its facility in Falconbridge, Ontario. XPS was also called upon to provide temporary relief in the Mill Superintendent’s role. XPS supplied a seasoned Mill Superintendent to assist by bridging the gap until the replacement was on site and fully up to speed. At the time of publishing, XPS is providing transition assistance.
The XPS Plant Support group offers a full range of services focussing on in-plant, practical, hands-on technical assistance. The group consists of a team of experienced metallurgists and consultants that can lead or contribute to a Type 1 start up of a mineral processing plant. XPS has complete gold diagnostic testing, gold cyanidation, and refractory gold pre-treatment testing capabilities.
Don Emms, Young-Davidson Mill Superintendent commented: “XPS provides a very useful service for a seamless transition of department managers. The additional support ensures KPI’s are met, safe operating procedures are followed and process improvements are sustained during the transition. XPS was also helpful in developing and leading action plans for the completion of the acid wash and gravity circuits which included oversight of final construction, supplier, SOP development, HAZOP analysis and commissioning.”