EQ Resources Limited (EQR) reported that the first blast in Stage 1 of the Andy White Open Cut expansion began over the weekend, calibrating blasting parameters for restarting open pit mining operations at Mt Carbine.
Golding Contractors Pty Ltd hired Orana Drill and Blast Pty Ltd to coordinate and regulate all blasting on site. Two new Epiroc blast rigs arrived on site on Wednesday. These two rigs will focus on the blast hole drill out projected over the following 12 months, with a total of 12,790 holes for 134,000m of blast hole drilling to load 1,010t of emulsion explosives.
A complete blast typically consists of 325 holes in a 2.5m x 2.5m grid and weighs around 60,000t. EQR has scheduled a weekly blast with Orica Ltd to deliver the explosives on-site.
EQR intends to sample and assay vertical drill and blast holes and angled RC holes to provide as much information as possible to precisely mark up the ore zones.
A grade control model has been developed and is now strongly connected to the resource model, with projected ore grade established in the currently drilled zones. EQR said it is encouraging to observe them spreading upward to the surface from the initial diamond hole drill programs, as it helps to better characterise the company’s geological models.
“It’s exciting, after all this time, to start mining fresh ore at Mt Carbine. We are expecting a great result over the next 12-months and anticipate all our mining systems to complete ramp up by the end of Q3 to meet planned production targets. Over the coming financial year EQR is looking to drive good profits, validating shareholder investment over the past few years and grow the EQR business. The Company is working hard to become a major player in the tungsten market this year and demonstrate its positioning as a long term supplier of tungsten, supporting critical mineral supply chains for the Western world,” EQR CEO Kein MacNeill said.
According to EQR, its community awareness programs were expanded to coincide with this new phase of its growth, and public announcements and interactions were scheduled and well-accepted by the long-term inhabitants of Mt Carbine. Staff from Mareeba, Mt Molloy, Mt Carbine, Julatten, Port Douglas, Mossman, and other areas would benefit greatly from the initiative. In addition, as part of the company’s commitment to supporting local and regional Far North Queensland companies, EQR employs several local contractors.
The hauling of ore onto the Run of Mine (ROM) pad will begin early next week, with initial loading being done by 50t and 74t excavators (ore zone location dependant), with a larger Hitachi EX1900 excavator in transit for further activities.
Mining will increase to 80,000 tonnes per month of ore during the following quarter. Barren rock will be transferred to specially designed stockpiles for quarry material production.
