Linden Gold Alliance Pty Ltd says it has awarded a two-year A$45.7 million ($36.4 million) contract to Mako Mining for carrying out underground mining services at the Second Fortune gold project in Western Australia.
Mako is a specialist narrow-vein underground mining contractor with a proven track record of successfully mining narrow-vein orebodies and has held an ongoing 10-year contract at Western Areas Forrestania nickel project, also in Western Australia, LGA said.
“Mako Mining’s performance at Forrestania has included consistently meeting production and development targets whilst maintaining an enviable safety record with zero LTIs recorded since the company’s inception,” the company added.
The contractor has an extensive fleet of narrow-vein underground equipment, coupled with the required management and operator skill sets to ensure productivities are maximised, LGA believes.
“Along with LGA’s extensive technical expertise in narrow-vein gold mining, this alliance of companies will provide the project with the best opportunity to exploit this terrific high-grade narrow-vein resource,” the company said.
Mako mobilised to Second Fortune during November to commence underground works in December.
LGA’s General Manager of Operations, Andrew Rich, said: “The appointment of a leading narrow-vein underground mining contractor is an exciting time for both companies and allows LGA to continue its development plans to exploit the resource at Second Fortune in a safe, efficient and productive manner.”
LGA acquired Second Fortune in September 2020 from Anova Metals Ltd with dewatering and rehabilitation completed during the December quarter. First ore production is expected during March 2021.
The Second Fortune project area was originally mined during 1941 to 1988 from a small open pit and underground via shaft and handheld methods. Anova acquired the project in 2017 and completed infrastructure upgrades and Stage 1 of underground mechanised mine development, including dewatering of historic workings and portal establishment. Following Stage 1 completion, the mine was put into care and maintenance.