Equipment installation, including structural steel and conveyors, was a key focus area for Q2 2024.
(Photo: Artemis Gold)

“We continued to advance construction and progress our operational readiness plans in-line with our expected timelines,” said Steven Dean, chairman and CEO of Artemis Gold. “We were challenged again by wildfires in the area of the mine, and I would like to recognize the Blackwater team’s efforts to safely and orderly demobilize staff upon receipt of the recent wildfire evacuation order. The response to the lifting of the order and commencement of an expedient return and ramp-up to full-scale construction was a credit to our team.”

Construction of the water management pond, excavation of the cutoff trench through Mine Creek in the tailings storage facility (TSF), and the earthworks and lining of the central water management pond have been completed. The company said work on the TSF continues to progress well with increased productivity and material movements through the quarter. The Sedgman EPC contract work on the processing plant was approximately 90% complete overall, with engineering, design and procurement materially complete.

Artemis said equipment installation was a key focus area for Q2 2024 as well as installation of structural steel, conveyors, platework, pipework, and electrical infrastructure. Installation of the primary crusher commenced, and utilities were installed across the crushing circuit, allowing for pre-commissioning activities on the crushing circuit to commence. Mill installation advanced, while the cyclone, gravity concentrators and the sulphur burner were installed. Cladding of the reagents building was completed, and the mill building will soon be ready to be clad following final equipment installation. The company said hydro testing of the process and raw water tanks was completed, and tank infrastructure completed, with tank top installations well advanced.

The company said early pre-commissioning activities in the crushing area of the process facility are underway.