Kirkland Lake Gold Meets Production Targets


Aerial view of Kirkland Lake Gold’s mill, No. 2 shaft and pastefill plant in eastern Ontario, Canada.
(Photo courtesy of Kirkland Lake Gold)
After announcing plans last December to expand its workforce, commence mining at its South mine complex in March 2009 and target a production output of 100,000 oz for its 2010 fiscal year, Kirkland Lake Gold recently reported that a number of these targets were met as an additional 150 miners and underground workers were hired and integrated into the workforce. The number of available ore faces was doubled by developing new stopes in both the Main mine and South mine complex areas and the mine now operates on a seven day a week basis. Daily ore production in March was ahead of projection at 608 t/d and gold production for March of 7,377 oz was a monthly record for Kirkland Lake.

The Ontario-based company also reported that the mine’s ventilation boosting system was completed in early April, increasing ventilation flows by 91% mine-wide (45% more than expected) and 284% for the South mine complex. Upgrades to improve the reliability of the mine’s pastefill distribution system were also completed on the 3400 and 3800 Level. These repairs consisted of modifications to the piping arrangements to reduce wear as well as air locking and surging problems.

A two-phase project review is being completed with the intent of placing a combined and fast tracked project plan before the board of directors before the end of June. The new plan, according to the company, is expected to contain significant schedule and capital improvements.

As featured in Womp 2009 Vol 04 - www.womp-int.com