USGS releases first study to assess global earthquake risk to mineral supplies
Earthquakes have the potential to substantially affect mining operations, leading to supply chain disruptions that adversely affect the global economy.
Toronto-based Kirkland Lake Gold has filed an updated 43-101 resource report for its Macassa gold mine in the town of Kirkland Lake. The report includes resources at Dec. 31 ,2018.
Two important zones – Main/04 break and South mine complex – are detailed. The Main/’04 break has 775,000 measured and indicated tonnes averaging 17.9 g/t gold and containing 447,000 oz. The South mine complex has 1.0 million tonnes grading 16.4 g/t gold and containing 536,000 oz. Together they contain 1.8 million tonnes averaging 17.1 g/t gold.
Inferred resources total 610,000 tonnes averaging 16.7 g/t gold for 328,000 contained oz. of gold.
Two zones together contain 1.8 million tonnes averaging 17.1 g/t gold
The company will also be considering the numerous recommendations in the report. Underground drilling should continue to test the east and west strike extension of the South mine complex, the Amalgamated Kirkland Break, east of the Main Break below 5800 level, and east into the Kirkland Minerals and Teck Hughes properties. The potential to expand the refinery throughput with the addition of certain components may be examined.
Kirkland Lake has already begun work on the new shaft No.4 near the mill. It will be sunk in two phases, the $240-million first phase will be done in 2022, and the $40-million phase two in 2023. The finished depth will be 1,735 metres with five shaft stations. The No.4 shaft will allow the Macassa mine to produce 400,000 oz. of gold annually.
Work is also underway to expand the North tailings storage facility, add a pair of ventilation raises at the South mine complex, and consider at what point the paste fill system needs to be enlarged.
(This article first appeared in the Canadian Mining Journal)
