Production nears at Westgold's Fortnum project

Westgold Resources expects first production from its Fortnum gold project in the coming weeks following its acquisition of the asset 18 months ago.

The mine is located in the western Bryah Basin, about 150 kilometres north-west of Meekatharra, and encompasses the historic mining centres of Labouchere, Fortnum, Horseshoe and Peak Hill.

The Westgold operation will be able to take full advantage of the area’s historical production base, the proximity to Westgold’s existing Central Murchison project, as well as the processing plant and operating infrastructure already on site.   

The Fortnum plant has been successfully refurbished and wet commissioning has commenced, with first gold production anticipated to occur within the next few weeks.

The start of open-pit mining in the localised Fortnum district represents the commencement of stage 2 in the company’s four-phase development plan.

Subsequent open-pit cutbacks at Yarlarweelor, Nathans, Horseshoe, and Cassidy will be mined over the ensuing three years, using a combination of contractor and Westgold’s internal open-pit mining fleets.

These open pits will provide more than half of the expected plant feedstock over the next three to four years.

Substantial dewatering of the Starlight underground mine means underground ore production is expected to commence in the September 2017 quarter.

Westgold Resources share price is down half a cent to $1.75 today.