WATTLE DAM GOLD PROJECT
The Wattle Dam Gold Mine is located approximately 25 km southwest of Kambalda in
The project is held 100% by Ramelius Resources Limited and commenced mining operations in March 2006. Underground development at Wattle Dam commenced in May 2009, with the commencement of the portal and decline. As at July 2009 the decline was down to the 225 level, 115 metres below the surface, with access to the top level of the high grade underground orebody completed.
Development ore is expected to be mined in September and October 2009, with first stoping of high grade underground ore in December 2009.
Wattle Dam Underground
Geology
The Wattle Dam gold deposit is hosted in sheared and metamorphosed mafic to ultramafic rocks. The deposit contains two main lodes, the West Zone and the East Zone, with the bulk of the gold mineralisation contained in the East Zone, a high grade plunging shoot.
Mining
There have been two phases of open cut mining at Wattle Dam in 2006 and 2008-9. Underground mining commenced in May 2009. To date the project has produced in excess of 50,000 oz of gold.
Milling
Ramelius Resources wholly owns Burbanks treatment plant, which is capable of treating up 200,000 tonnes per annum of Wattle Dam ore.
Resource Definition
Resource definition drilling programs are ongoing, with both surface and underground diamond rigs operating at Wattle Dam. A program of deep diamond drilling to test depth extensions at Wattle Dam commenced in June 2009.