Black Cat is progressing its gold acceleration strategy at its Kal East mine in Western Australia.
The strategy involves accelerating the construction of an enlarged processing facility, up from 0.8 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to 1.2–1.5Mtpa.
Black Cat has awarded MACA the engineering study to expand the processing facility. Engineering has already commenced, utilising both of the company’s ball mills and supporting infrastructure.
Commencement of on ground works is expected during the March quarter in 2025.
“With the Paulsens processing plant refurbishment tracking on time and on budget we are pleased to further our relationship with MACA Interquip Mintrex through the study and engineering phase of expanding the Kal East processing facility,” Blact Cat managing director Gareth Solly said.
“Our gold acceleration strategy is all about more gold, sooner and having our own processing facility operating at up to 1.5Mtpa in early 2026 is integral to that.”
Metallurgical testwork will be reviewed to suit an expanded processing facility design and additional feed from redesigned mines, while baseline studies and approvals are being progressed as required to reflect the increased production scenario.
Mining studies are now underway to re-optimise open pit and underground mines to feed an expanded processing facility. Previous mine designs used a gold price of $2500 per ounce and will be optimised to reflect the current gold price environment.
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