Emerging Australian gold producer A1 Consolidated Gold has provided an operational update for its shareholders.
The junior miner said development of a hanging wall Drill Drive has been prioritised to allow for better drilling angles when diamond drilling the pre zone below the 1400 level.
According to the company, in addition to this Drill Drive the present Decline is also an ideal drilling platform and will be utilised during diamond drilling.
“The Drill Drive and Decline will enable drill coverage down several levels and it is expected drilling will prove approximately 9 months of ore and move the resources in this area from Inferred into a higher confidence Indicated category,” the company said in a statement to the ASX.
The drilling campaign commenced earlier this week in the Decline, and A1 said it would last for several weeks during which time development will be paused.
“Development, by mining contractor Pybar, has continued at the A1 Gold Mine with the Decline advancing along the Western side of the dyke past stockpile 10. Ore development of the 1410 North Drive has been completed and mining of the Ore Zone progressing,” reads the statement.
“Ground conditions with the mineralised dyke have continued to be very competent. A small area of poor ground was intersected in stockpile 10, off the Decline, requiring cable bolting and additional ground support.”
A1 said ore mined from the 1410 North Drive was being trucked to its Madon Treatment Plant during weekdays with the mill currently operating on a single shift.
The company also announced that it will not extend Dennis Clark’s employment contract, and that Mr Dale Rogers has been appointed to the position of Executive Chairman.
Mr Clark, who was a founding director of the company, has played a leading role in recommencing activities at the A1 minesite, development to the top of the orebody and milling at the company’s facility in Maldon.
“The Board would like to acknowledge the contributions that Dennis has made in establishing and building A1 into an operating Victorian focused gold company,” said Executive Chairman Dale Rogers.
“Without Dennis’s perseverance and determination over many years it is unlikely A1 would be in the position it is now.”
