Middle Island Resources Provides Sandstone Feasibility Study Update
THE DRILL SERGEANT: Middle Island Resources (ASX: MDI) advised on the current status of a Feasibility Study (FS) underway into re-commissioning of the company’s wholly-owned and now advanced Sandstone gold project in the central goldfields of Western Australia.
The Study includes the existing processing plant that is on care and maintenance.
The company has now received the majority of assay data relevant to the Feasibility Study (FS) for the Sandstone gold project.
This includes Mineral Resource estimates that have been completed for eight of Sandstone’s 10 gold deposits; the remaining two are in progress.
Pit optimisations and pit designs have been completed for the first five quantified deposits with associated work on haul road and waste dump designs having also commenced.
Metallurgical testwork has commenced, supplementing previous testwork and operational performance.
Middle Island is conducting a concurrent scoping study into a modest upgrade to the capacity of the on-site mill with GR Engineering Services.
Design work on additional tailings storage capacity is well advanced in line with sterilisation drilling for new and expanded waste dumps, and a tailings facility expansion.
Evaluation continues into the refurbishment and upgrade of the substantial existing supporting infrastructure at Sandstone.
Detailed cost estimates and FS reporting is expected to be completed in January 2021.
“Having resolved the backlog of some 10,000 resource definition samples in the assay laboratory, we now have a clearer line of sight on the FS schedule and, therefore, in a position to provide a timely update on FS progress,” Middle Island Resources managing director Rick Yeates said in the company’s announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange.
“Assuming a positive recommissioning decision during or before January 2021, and that remaining statutory approvals are forthcoming in a timely manner, there is every reason to anticipate that the Sandstone gold operation will be recommissioned in the September quarter of 2021.”
Email: info@middleisland.com.au