Sep 19 2017
Lydian International Limited announced that construction at the Company’s 100%-owned Amulsar Gold Project is proceeding as planned. Earthworks are continuing at all elevations, and construction activities are now transitioning to concrete work at several key areas and to equipment assembly.
Howard Stevenson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lydian, said, "Construction at Amulsar is advancing as expected. Earthworks accelerated throughout the summer and several key platforms are now complete. Concrete work has started along the conveyor corridor and for the ADR plant. By early next quarter we will also be pouring concrete for the crushing plant. Assembly of the conveyor galleries has started and mobile mining equipment is being assembled as it arrives to site. We are pleased to be achieving these important milestones.”
Materials Handling System
Major pieces of equipment for the crushing and screening plant continue to arrive at site, including a second cone crusher, primary crusher apron feeder, and the crusher dust suppression system. The final cone crusher and all crusher motors are expected to be delivered this quarter. Fabrication of 290 overland conveyor precast concrete foundation blocks is complete and placement has commenced. Assembly of conveyor galleries and preparation for placement on the foundation blocks has started. Installation will begin during Q4 2017.
Approximately 70 percent of structural steel for the crushing plant has been delivered to site, with the remaining supply expected to arrive this quarter. Of the 80 truckloads of modular overland conveyor gallery components, 45 are in route to site for delivery this quarter. The supply of in-plant conveyors for the crushing plant are scheduled for delivery in Q4 2017.
Mine Operations
Shipments and deliveries of the Caterpillar mine mobile equipment remain on schedule. A 773 water truck was commissioned and placed in service this quarter. Delivery of the 6040 shovel, four 789D haul trucks, and a 994 wheel loader are on schedule for delivery as planned. One additional 773 water truck and five more 789D haul trucks are expected to arrive during Q4 2017. Construction of the mine haul road continues to advance with cut and fill operations. Initial access along the west face of Erato is nearing completion, which will support acceleration of work at higher elevations. Once the early deliveries of the mobile mining fleet are commissioned, Lydian plans to supplement construction of the mine haul road with this equipment.
Heap Leach Facility
Construction earthworks are advancing with the dam raise, toe-bench embankment back fill, and preparation of the sub-base for the geomembrane. Installation of primary underdrain piping is complete and installation of the secondary piping network has commenced. Fabrication of the geomembrane liner continues with delivery and installation expected to commence as early as Q4 2017.
Processing (ADR) Plant
A batch plant is assembled and operational adjacent to the ADR platform. The first concrete pour for equipment foundations was completed. Fifteen containers of pre-assembled modules for the carbon-in-column and regeneration circuits have shipped from the manufacturer for delivery during Q4 2017 and an additional 16 containers of gold recovery equipment and materials is scheduled to ship within the coming few weeks.
Infrastructure
Other earthworks are advancing on plan for the truck shop, administrative facilities, and mine warehouse platforms. Construction of the residence camp is complete and contractor personnel have started to occupy this facility. Galvanized steel structures for the main 110kV substation switches have been received, and the modular e-house for the crusher area and all plant transformers have shipped from the manufacturer.