West Red Lake Gold Mines executes phase 1 Madsen mine shaft refurbishment, Ontario
West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. [TSXV: WRLG; OTCQX: WRLGF; FSE: UJO] provided an update on the phased refurbishment of the Madsen mine shaft, an important infrastructure project that is expected to increase material handling capacity, improve mining efficiency and lower operating costs while supporting higher production rates as mining and development activities advance to deeper levels of the Madsen mine, located in the Red Lake mining district of northern Ontario.
The company has successfully completed phase 1 of the refurbishment program, demonstrating the ability to safely hoist gold ore and waste material through the existing shaft; initial phase 1 capacity supporting approximately 200 tonnes per day.
Additional infrastructure upgrades planned as part of phase 2 and phase 3, which are expected to optimize the system and support higher hoisting rates to 700 tonnes per day and 2,000 tonnes per day.
All major equipment required for phase 2 of the shaft refurbishment is now on site, with installation and associated upgrade work under way.
Phase 1 and phase 2 reach Level 10 at approximately 500 metres depth, which can hoist material from the active mining complexes in Austin and South Austin while phase 3 will support material haulage from deeper in the mine, potentially at Level 17.
The phased approach allows the company to progressively commission the shaft while continuing to invest in the infrastructure required to unlock its full long-term value.
Shane Williams, president and CEO, commented: “The phased refurbishment of the Madsen shaft represents an important investment in the long-term growth of the mine. As mining advances to deeper levels, the shaft will complement underground truck haulage by providing an additional means of moving ore and waste to surface at much lower costs while reducing haulage distances and improving operational flexibility. While underground trucks will continue to play an important role throughout the mine, the shaft is expected to improve operating efficiency and contribute to lower operating costs and all-in sustaining costs over time.”
Phase 1 has successfully demonstrated an initial hoisting capability of approximately 200 tonnes per day, and the company will continue advancing the remaining infrastructure upgrades before increasing the shaft’s hoisting capacity. Planned work includes upgrades to the hoisting system intended to maximize the long-term efficiency, reliability and capacity of the shaft.
Historically, the Madsen shaft served as the mine’s primary material haulage system for approximately five decades, providing access to mining operations as deep as Level 26, which is the bottom of the shaft. The current refurbishment program is designed to restore the shaft to its historical design capacity of approximately 2,000 tonnes per day, supporting the company’s long-term mine plan as mining advances into deeper levels of the mine.
West Red Lake Gold Mines is advancing a high-grade, district-scale opportunity in the Red Lake district of Ontario. The company’s flagship Madsen mine has recently achieved commercial production and is positioned as the central hub of a growing multiasset platform.
The company controls a 47 km2 land package in one of the world’s most prolific mining districts, which has historically produced over 20 million ounces of gold from high-grade systems.
West Red Lake also owns the Rowan property in Red Lake, covering 31 km2, which includes three past-producing mines (Rowan, Mount Jamie and Red Summit) and represents a key source of future production growth.