Production build-up at the project is on target to reach its design capacity of 63,000 tonnes run-of-mine per month by November.
ROM production for July and August increased to an average 26,787t, 35% up on the monthly production average of 19,895t achieved in the second quarter of 2013.
A permanent ventilation shaft, commissioned in August, was the last remaining infrastructure required to reach the 63,000t/month design capacity.
With adequate ventilation in place since early September, both continuous miner sections were fully operational and able to establish the planned mining outlay of nine road production sections.
ROM production for September already exceeds 20,000t and is trending towards the planned 40,000t for the month.
Achieving planned production for September will also alleviate logistical congestion around the main conveyor and lay a sound foundation for the planned 50,000 ROM tonnes planned for October.
The yield is also improving as the mining sections are being established.
The average yield for the month-to-date September is about 59%, a marked improvement on the average yield of 44% achieved in July and August and the average 37% yield achieved in the second quarter 2013.
A drill and blast section will be added to the two continuous miner sections during November, which will bring extra flexibility to maintain the planned production rate.
Each continuous miner section has two shuttle cars with the third cars expected in December.
This will create more flexibility for steady state production.
All necessary surface infrastructure has been completed and the installation of the underground substations is in progress.
The installation of the substations is not expected to have any impact on the planned production rate.
Continental CEO Don Turvey said the mine had been forced to hold back on production due to ventilation constraints but the commissioning of the vent shaft would allow the mine to move towards full design capacity.
“The team has already taken the production step change now that they have been unleashed and will reach steady state production by November,” he said.
