Following signoff of the $112 million construction of the box cut, exploration decline and associated surface infrastructure at the Havieron gold project in Western Australia, Greatland Gold, one of the joint venture owners, says early works activities have commenced at the project.

Operated by Newcrest under this JV agreement with Greatland, Havieron has an initial inferred resource of 52 Mt at 2 g/t Au and 0.31% Cu for 3.4 Moz of gold and 160,000 t of copper.

The commencement of early works by Newcrest, as manager of the JV, follows receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals to commence these construction activities.

Gervaise Heddle, Chief Executive Officer of Greatland Gold, said: “The commencement of early works activities at Havieron marks a major milestone for the project and for the company.

“Earthmoving activities to prepare for the construction of the box cut and decline have begun and we will continue to update shareholders as work progresses. In addition, we look forward to advancing the 2021 growth drilling program at Havieron, where mineralisation remains open in multiple directions outside of the initial inferred mineral resource estimate.”

Work is ongoing to finalise the Water Management Plan for the early works program and to progress further approvals and permits that will be required to commence development of any operating underground mine and associated infrastructure at Havieron, Greatland said.

In addition, the development of any underground mine at the Havieron project will also be subject to further studies, board approvals and a positive decision to mine.