Tag Archives: Murchison

Westgold signs up MLG for transport, maintenance and management services

MLG Oz Limited says it has been awarded a material five-year contract by Westgold Resources Limited that will see the METS company service the gold miner’s operational hubs across the Murchison and Bryah Basin regions.

The contract, which leverages MLG’s integrated support model, is focused on enhancing Westgold’s operating efficiencies. It also consolidates MLG’s resources in the Mid-West region and represents a material win for the company, it said.

Westgold owns and operates the Tuckabianna, Bluebird and Fortnum processing hubs across the Murchison and Bryah Basin regions of Western Australia, with its objective to leverage MLG’s existing fleet capacity to enhance operational efficiencies and use MLG’s latest road haulage technical advancements, MLG said.

Westgold is to provide dedicated maintenance facilities at each of its sites to support MLG operations.

The scope of services includes the delivery of in-pit, off- and on-road haulage, road maintenance and run of mine management services activities across all of Westgold’s operations.

The initial ramp up and mobilisation activities are expected to commence in October 2022, with anticipated annual revenues of circa-A$40 million ($27 million) with revenue to build from December 2022.

MLG founder, Managing Director and majority shareholder, Murray Leahy, said: “We are delighted Westgold has selected us to enhance their operations in the Murchison and Bryah Basin regions. Westgold is focused on driving cost and operational efficiencies to enhance the profitability of its business and we are proud to have been chosen as a key and trusted business partner.

“This is a large opportunity for MLG to establish a long-term relationship with a growth-oriented gold miner and Westgold’s faith in MLG represents a significant endorsement of our capabilities.”

MLG Oz is a founder-led business that provides a range of services to mine sites, integrated around the needs of client’s ore processing facilities.

Westgold signs gas and renewables agreements with Pacific Energy, CEFA

Westgold Resources, in line with its ongoing objectives to enhance profitability and focus on cost optimisation, has executed a new Electricity Purchase Agreement with independent power provider Pacific Energy and a new LNG Supply Agreement with Clean Energy Fuels Australia (CEFA).

These agreements will deliver substantial operating cost savings to Westgold in its 2023-2024 financial years onwards of around A$100/oz ($68/oz) at the current diesel price and supports its commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives that will reduce the company’s long term greenhouse gas emissions, it said.

Under the build-own-operate agreement with Pacific Energy, Westgold will materially reduce diesel consumption by replacing six diesel-fired power stations (two owned and operated by Pacific Energy) with four new, highly efficient gas-fired power stations to incorporate renewable energy options and use solar power and battery storage across the Bryah and Murchison Operations. Critically for Westgold, this transition to a mixed generation platform includes renewables and gas and is expected to reduce carbon emissions from diesel-powered generators by over 57%, due to the higher integration of renewables (34% solar) and cleaner fuel (gas versus diesel), the company said.

Westgold’s first new Pacific Energy power station will be commissioned in July 2023 at the Tuckabianna processing hub, with the three additional new power plants scheduled for commissioning from September 2023.

Westgold has concurrently signed a bulk LNG supply agreement with CEFA. CEFA will supply Westgold from its expanded LNG plant located at Mt Magnet (pictured), 80 km south of Cue. This plant is currently providing LNG to another Pacific Energy power plant in the Murchison region and provides a substantial advantage due to its proximity to Westgold’s operations. CEFA will fund and construct satellite LNG facilities (primarily comprising LNG storage and re-gasification equipment) at Westgold’s project sites, with the LNG trucked direct from its plant at Mt Magnet.

The new gas and solar power station to be commissioned at Westgold’s Meekatharra operations will also serve to simplify power generation by removing smaller diesel fired power stations at the Paddy’s Flat and Bluebird underground mines and providing them power from a larger gas-fired power station via overhead powerlines, according to the company.

Westgold Managing Director, Wayne Bramwell, said: “The transition to a cleaner, more efficient energy platform that utilises renewables and gas in financial year 2023 is strategic for Westgold. It is an important step in meeting our ESG targets but is pivotal to reducing the operating cost of our business.

“Westgold has selected two industry leaders in Pacific Energy and CEFA to work with us in this transition and we look forward to seeing the benefits that integrating renewable power and cleaner energy alternatives can deliver to our business and the communities within which we work.”

Normet to provide rock reinforcement ground support at Westgold ops

Normet says it has agreed a new partnership with Westgold Resources Ltd for the supply of rock reinforcement ground support to all its operations in Australia.

Normet’s Australian Business Development Manager, Jamie Rewell, said: “Westgold is an established Australian producer with major mining centres in the Murchison, and the partnership is a testament of Normet’s commitment to supporting Westgold’s growth in the region.

“With Normet’s global experience and expertise, we are well positioned to partner with Westgold for continuous improvement on safety and productivity of their operations. Normet would like to thank Westgold for trusting us with their business and look forward to be a part of their continued success.”

Westgold has a 7.9 Moz resource base with multiple mines, including six underground operations, and three processing hubs with a circa-4 Mt/y milling capacity in the Murchison and Bryah Basin regions.