Major equipment components have arrived at Lydian International’s 100%-owned Amulsar gold project in Armenia. Howard Stevenson, Lydian’s President and CEO, commented, “Equipment lead times and delivery logistics present unique challenges for many projects. We are very pleased that our vendors are meeting fabrication schedules and deliveries to site are being well managed.”
Major pieces of equipment for the crushing plant, including the jaw crusher, a secondary cone crusher, rock breaker, pan feeders, and screen liners have all arrived at site. The material handling system includes crushing and screening equipment and the overland conveyor, all supplied by Sandvik. Components have been shipping since Q2 2017 as fabrication is completed. Modular steel structures for the overland conveyer and other structural steel components are arriving on site and this will continue throughout Q3 2017.
Caterpillar remains on schedule in manufacturing the primary mine mobile equipment. The first phase of equipment, consisting of a 6040 hydraulic shovel, one CAT 994 front end loader, five 789D haul trucks and other equipment, was shipped in July 2017. Deliveries to Amulsar and assembly are expected over the balance of Q3 2017.
The gold recovery plant is being fabricated in South Africa by Azmet. Pre-assembled modules have been loaded for shipment later this month. Delivery is expected by late Q3 2017.
ABB is supplying all major site-wide electrical and control systems. Fabrication of the main substation and distribution grid, integrated automation and process control by optimised solutions, motors and drive systems is advancing in accordance with the manufacturer’s planned delivery schedules. Electrical transformers are scheduled for shipment this month, with delivery anticipated during Q4 2017.
Lydian is a gold developer, focusing on construction at Amulsar, located in south-central Armenia. Amulsar presents an opportunity for a large-scale, low-cost operation with production expected to begin in mid-2018. Open pit mining and conventional heap leach processing contribute to excellent scale and economic potential. Amulsar will be Armenia’s largest gold mine, with estimated mineral resources containing 3.5 Moz Measured and Indicated gold and 1.3 Moz Inferred gold. Gold production is targeted to average approximately 225,000 oz/y over an initial 10-year mine life. Existing mineral resources and open extensions provide opportunities to improve average annual production and extend the life of mine.
