New declines at Dugald River

MMG's Dugald River project is gaining momentum with new works taking place during February.

On Thursday 2 February, the Dugald River project commenced the underground exploration decline development, with the firing of the first cut in the North decline, followed by the first firing in the South decline the following day. 

An early works program managed by Jacobs (the EPCM contractor) and carried out by NRW included the establishment of the North and South Boxcuts, in addition to haul roads, ore and waste pads. 

Following completion of these, Barminco took over the boxcuts and completed the installation of services prior to firing the first cut.

Barminco are contracted to establish two exploration declines and associated sub-level development. 

In conjunction with an underground diamond drilling program, this will provide the necessary information to confirm the geological model and validate the mining assumptions used in the mine plan prior to final approvals for mining. 

The Barminco contract comprises of just over 20km of development including approximately 4.5km of decline development. Decline development will be nominally 5.5m wide and 5.8m high at a gradient of 1:7 down. 

Initial development activities in both declines will be completed with one jumbo drill rig, with the fleet expanding as level development activities commence later in the year.