Alkane drives Tomingley with heavy equipment splurge

The Tomingley extension project will cost Alkane more than $30 million and will extend its gold operations mine life to at least 2026.

The machines purchased by Alkane subsidiary Tomingley Gold Operations (TGO) include a Sandvik DL4321i production drill, which is a fully-mechanised electro-hydraulic top hammer longhole drill to replace an older model.

Sandvik has produced the DL432i for underground mass mining and is designed for 3.2 by 3.2 metre or larger production drifts.

TGO has placed an order for four new Epiroc MT65 trucks, a Cat 140M Grader and development jumbo drill, and four Volvo Its.

The Epiroc MT65 has a 65-tonne load capacity and features high ramp speed to boost productivity.

TGO general manager Jason Hughes said the extension marked the right time to modernise its underground fleet.

“Our original underground second-hand fleet has done a great job getting the project started with a very low capital outlay for what was a planned three-year mine life,” Hughes said. “Now, with an extended underground mine life out until at least 2026, it’s time to replace it with a new modern fleet.

“By committing $16 million to a new fleet, we will be ensuring TGO will be an efficient and productive mining operation well into the future.”

TGO announced it is also seeking new workers to fill underground positions, including truck operators, bogger operators, charge-up and service crew operators, jumbo operators and underground mining diesel fitters.

“These positions are a great opportunity for suitably experienced workers in the Dubbo region to work at an expanding gold mining operation using the latest state-of-the-art equipment,” Hughes said.

Alkane’s target for Tomingley in the 2021-22 financial year is 55,000 to 60,000 ounces of gold at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $1450 to $1600 per ounce.