Ora Banda ramps up processing at Davyhurst gold project

Ora Banda Mining has doubled down at its Davyhurst gold project in WA, with milling and crushing circuits improving output during August.

Gold production at the processing plant increased last week to 1,164 ounces of refined gold, and production for this week is expected to increase a further 1,298 ounces of fine gold – estimated from dore production.

The company is confident that total gold production for July and August will be around 9,042 ounces, and that it will remain within the annual guidance of 80,866 ounces.

Process improvements underway

Extremely wet weather in July hampered surface mining operations and led to road closures.

This delayed the delivery of the mining fleet to the Missouri mine (and slower than expected ramp of blast hole drilling rates) and the mobile crusher to the Davyhurst plant.

But the company said improved weather conditions have aided the introduction of process improvements across drilling, blasting, mining, and processing activities this month.

Well placed for consistent production

Ora Banda Mining (ASX:OBM) managing director Peter Nicholson said the step change in the plant’s performance and throughput was pleasing to see.

“It is testament to our team and their hard work that all the action plans are being executed with successful outcomes,” he said.

“With clear plans in place to address the remaining limiting factors and exciting exploration results to follow up, we are now well placed for stronger, consistent production moving forward.”

The company released drilling results from the Riverina underground deposit in early August which it plans to include in an updated mineral resource estimate.

Riverina has a current mineral resource of 1.7 million tonnes at 5.6 g/t for 183,000 ounces.

Davyhurst independent review

The performance of the Davyhurst processing facility has improved following the introduction of deeper material now being mined at the Riverina open pit with its improved materials handling properties – as well as a higher percentage of fresh rock available for blending.

The company has also rectified power outages, replacing power line insulators, and expects no power supply issues in the current quarter.

Ora Banda also replaced the crusher screens and has ordered different sized screen panels to better balance feed through the crushers.

Plus, Ausenco has been engaged to undertake an independent review of the facility, including all aspects from spares held, maintenance procedures and practices through to operational improvement initiatives.

Golden Eagle drilling complete

Mining at Golden Eagle underground is slightly ahead of schedule, and a 3,650m diamond drill program has been completed.

The company said that – visually – nearly all the holes intersected the target within metres of the planned intercepts.

Assaying is ongoing, but the company’s on-site preparation laboratory, which is scheduled to start operating on September 7, should greatly shorten turnaround times.

Ora Banda said it has increased its confidence in the revised interpretation and the potential to extend mine life at Golden Eagle.

This article was developed in collaboration with Ora Banda Mining Limited, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.