Richmont Mines announced it has received provincial approval to scale up gold processing at its Island Gold Mine in northeastern Ontario.
The Toronto-based miner said on Dec. 19 that it has received amendments of both its air and wastewater environmental compliance approvals from the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
Richmont operates the Island Gold Mine, 83 kilometres northeast of Wawa, and is advancing the development of a significant high-grade resource extension at depth at the site.
The PEA for the expansion will be released in early 2017. The amendments support a potential ore mining and processing rate increase to an average of 1,100 tonnes per day beginning in 2018.
The amendments allow processing of up to 401,500 tonnes of ore per year with flexibility for up to a maximum of 38,480 tonnes per month.
The operation was previously permitted for up to 27,000 tonnes per month, or an average of 900 tonnes per day.
Richmont CEO Renaud Adams said receiving these permits is a key operational milestone.
“The engineering and analysis related to the productivity increase continues to advance, which is now fully supported by the receipt of all required permits. The mine and mill are now averaging above 900 tonnes per day and the operation is well positioned to support a productivity increase to an average of 1,100 tonnes per day with minimal capital investment."
