First Gold Pour at Chatree Gold Mine
Kingsgate Consolidated has announced the first gold pour at its newly refurbished Plant #1 at the Chatree Gold Mine in Thailand. The initial pour produced four doré bars, with the elution circuit and gold room functioning effectively.
Focus on Increasing Throughput
The company is now looking to focus on growing throughput to finalize the commissioning of Plant #1. Kingsgate managing director and CEO Jamie Gibson said: “We are delighted to acknowledge this important milestone, as we continue to ramp up operations at Chatree with gold and silver now being produced through two processing plants.”
Chatree Gold Mine Overview
Located in central Thailand, around 280km north of Bangkok, Chatree Gold Mine is wholly owned by Kingsgate through its Thai unit, Akara Resources. The mine has a distinguished production history, having yielded 1.8 million ounces of gold and ten million ounces of silver from 2001 to 2016. Kingsgate describes Chatree as a “world-class” asset.
Operational Approval and Expansion
Last month, Kingsgate announced that Plant #1 at Chatree received operational approval following a successful inspection by the Department of Primary Industries and Mines. The mine operates as a large-scale, low-cost, open-pit venture with a processing capacity exceeding five million tonnes per annum across two plants.
Exploration Potential
Current reserves support a nine-year mine life based on a 1.3 million ounce gold reserve. Furthermore, Kingsgate emphasizes the exploration potential at Chatree, with an aggressive exploration program currently focused on the south-eastern corridor of the mine.
Milestones and Future Prospects
The year 2023 has been pivotal for Chatree, witnessing the mine’s reopening after a six-year hiatus and the company securing almost $150 million in Board of Investment incentives. Additionally, the mine was granted access to new special prospecting licence areas, further bolstering its operational prospects.
Insight:
In the mining industry, the successful commissioning of a new plant and the first gold pour are significant milestones that indicate the operational readiness of a mine. The focus on increasing throughput and exploring new areas showcase Kingsgate’s commitment to maximizing the potential of the Chatree Gold Mine. The strategic expansion and exploration plans reflect a proactive approach to sustaining long-term production and growth in the gold mining sector.
