Multi-million dollar expansion at CSA
Wednesday May 26, 2010
Cobar’s CSA Mine has announced a $100million-plus project to expand its underground operation and upgrade processing capabilities.
The mine’s financial controller Michael Cox said the developments will assure the mine’s future “for many years to come”.
“An expanded exploration program around the present mine has confirmed resources for the next 12 years, with potential for further resources to be exposed,” Mr Cox said.
“As one of the deepest mines in Australia, the continued deepening of the mine through stoping and development activities has increased the haulage distances to get the ore to the mills, which increases costs and will reduce production as the stoping fronts extend deeper.
“To maximise the mine’s potential, CSA Mine needs a quantum leap in its approach to future mining operations.
“With over a year of planning completed, the decision has been made to extend the shaft and place the underground ore handling infrastructure closer to the stoping fronts,” he said.
The mine is hoping to avoid disruption to production by continuing to use the existing No 2 shaft to hoist during the construction of the new shaft and ore handling system.
“Planning the upgrade as cost effectively as possible will allow CSA Mine to benefit from upgrading the old No 1 shaft, which is planned to be deepened to 1,500m below surface and equipped with new underground workshops, offices, crib rooms, crusher, and loading station in close proximity to the shaft and work fronts,” Mr Cox said.
On the surface, a new head frame, production and service winders and a shaft-to-mill conveyor will be installed to complete the ore handling upgrade.
“This project is forecast to cost in excess of $100 million over the next two years.
“Work is already well advanced on a major ventilation upgrade, costing $19 million, to improve air quality to all areas of the mine, which is an integral part of the expansion.
“Additionally, surface exploration is continuing on a
number of tenements in the Cobar district, including
Shuttleton and Mt Hope, in an investment for the longer term,” Mr Cox said.
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