Alamos Gold Inc has announced the groundbreaking for its Island Gold Mine expansion. Already one of the most profitable mines in Canada, Alamos says the expansion will increase production, lower costs, and be an economic engine for the Algoma region. The expansion will also best position the operation to benefit from additional exploration success.
John A. McCluskey, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: “When we first acquired the Island Gold Mine we were aware of its potential. It had 1.8 Moz of Mineral Reserves and Resources, and through exploration investment we have increased this high– grade deposit to 5.1 Moz of Mineral Reserves and Resources. By further investing in the Phase III expansion, we will more than double the mine life. This mine will be an economic engine for this region for years to come, and positively impact the closest town of Dubreuilville and surrounding communities.“
The Honourable Greg Rickford, Ontario Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, stated: “The Island Gold expansion will help to strengthen the Algoma economy and is the latest in a series of recent success stories in Ontario’s mining sector – successes that our government is proud to support. The project will bring good–paying jobs and prosperity throughout the region including northern and Indigenous communities.”
The Honourable Todd Smith, Ontario Minister of Energy, stated: “Our government has reduced electricity prices for large industrial customers like Alamos Gold by 15% through our Comprehensive Electricity Plan. We are pleased to support expansions like today’s at Alamos Gold that will support good–paying jobs for communities in the north.”
Island Gold Mine is a significant employer in the region, sustaining over 600 jobs annually which will continue over the life of mine. During the construction phase of the expansion, employment is expected to double to 1,200 jobs. The Phase III Expansion study published in July 2020 outlined a 16 year mine life during which time production is expected to expand from 1,200 t/d to 2,000 t/d following the completion of the shaft in 2025. This is expected to drive production approximately 70% higher to average 236,000 oz of gold per year at significantly lower costs.
Since the completion of the Phase III Expansion study, Mineral Reserves and Resources have increased 37% to total 5.1 Moz of gold as of the end of 2021. This growth will be incorporated into an updated mine plan which is expected to be released mid–2022. The optimised mine plan is also expected to incorporate higher– grade additions in proximity to the planned shaft bottom earlier in the mine life, further increasing the value of the operation. The addition of a shaft connected to low–carbon intensity grid power in Ontario will support higher mining rates with a smaller mobile fleet of haul trucks resulting in significantly lower diesel consumption. This is expected to drive a 35% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the Phase III mine life.
