RE: Havieron first Ore11 Sep 2024 22:26
Page 77 - 3.8.2 Exploration potential – West Dome Deeps
In addition to the unclassified Exploration Targets described above, a key area of exploration potential has been identified at the West Dome deposit, referred to as in the West Dome Deeps (refer to Figure 9 above, and Figure 10 below).
The West Dome deposit has to date only been mined from the open pit, all underground mining at Telfer as been from the Main Dome deposit below the Main Dome open pit. The West Dome Deeps target occurs at a depth of approximately 1,200 metres below surface, located beneath the West Dome open pit, but is accessible by existing lateral development from the Main Dome underground.
The target was first discovered using deep, near-vertical exploration drilling below Stage 2 of the West Dome open pit in the 1990s which intersected a broad, low-grade target area. Follow-up exploration programs between 2010 and 2023 defined a higher grade zone of mineralisation, surrounded by a broad low-grade zone of vertical stockworks, analogous to geology observed in the Main Dome underground.
Newmont has constructed a 1.9km exploration drill drive from the Main Dome underground and commenced a drilling campaign on a nominal 40 m x 40 m drill hole spacing commenced in May 2024, and is intended to be continued by the Enlarged Group following Acquisition Completion and completed in 2025.
Following Acquisition Completion, the Company intends to prioritise completion of the underway drilling program at West Dome Deeps, and following that complete an assessment of potential development opportunities. Newcrest Mining previously prepared a directional study which contemplated development of a 1.5km haulage drive to the Main Dome underground, where ore could be crushed and transported to surface using the existing Main Dome underground crusher and shaft.