Having completed a pre-feasibility study, Newcrest is looking at mine design and a DFS in the short term, with its plans open for public consultation. The public consultation was opened on November 22.
The Havieron deposit was discovered by Greatland in 2018, with Newcrest farming-in for a 70% operational interest in the project for US$65 million in March 2019.
According to a pre-feasibility study, the ore body is estimated to contain 14 million tonnes of probable ore reserves at 3.72 grams per tonne gold.
This will equate to about 1.5 million ounces of gold, and 73,000 tonnes of copper.
The life of mine average all-in sustaining costs are predicted to be in the region of $893 per ounce.
There is an additional 37Mt of inferred mineral resource, however this was not incorporated into the study.
The joint venture laid out its plans to develop the proposed underground mine, which is located just 45km from Telfer, lodging final documentation to proceed with the federal regulator.
Documents submitted to the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment note the ore body is located about 400m below ground and early works have started along with the access decline.
Mineralisation has been observed at greater than 1200m in vertical extent below the post mineral cover sequence and remains open at depth.
In January Newcrest began clearing works and made its box cut and exploration decline.
However, no mining can begin until federal environment minister Sussan Ley signs off on the project.
Under the proposal, Newcrest will not only develop the mine but also create a 50km infrastructure corridor to Telfer.
Electricity and water will be supplied from the existing Telfer project, which will also be where Newcrest will send tailings.
Mined ore will be hauled to Telfer for processing.
