The Woodlawn Mine project will take an important step this week with the first load of bulk mining ore to be taken from underground.
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Heron Resources managing director and CEO Wayne Taylor said it was an exciting development in the Tarago district mine's revival.
"Up until now we have been tunnelling so this is the first step towards production mode," he said.
More than 2.3km of tunnelling has been undertaken in the underground section.
The company has state government approval to extract 1.5 million tonnes of zinc, copper and lead ore concentrate from the mine per annum over 9.3 years. However, Mr Taylor has predicted a longer operating life, based on recent mineral explorations in the area.
"We also continue to work on the tailings and that is going well," he said.
Mr Taylor told The Post that two train rakes carrying 3600 tonnes of zinc concentrates had already been taken to Port Kembla.
He expected this volume to increase to 80,000 tonnes, plus more in lead and copper concentrates as production ramped up.
The first reclaimed tailings were put through a processing plant in May. In July, the first commissioning concentrates left the site.
Semi-trailers, rather than B-doubles, are currently transporting the material to Goulburn's rail hub. Here it is loaded into containers for movement to port. Heron has enlisted Crawford Freight Lines to transport the product.
Mr Taylor said the only time the approved truck route onto the Hume Highway would be used was when rail wasn't available.
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Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
