Red 5 determined to pour gold in mid-2022

The project remains within budget after all steelwork and platework contracts were awarded for the process plant, with less than 12 months until first gold at the 2.4-million-ounce mine.

All engineering design has also been complete for concrete, steel platework and piping.

Red 5 managing director Mark Williams said the project was beginning to take shape.

“It’s very pleasing to have passed the 50 per cent project completion milestone and EPC contractor MACA Interquip continues to perform strongly,” Williams said.

“The countdown is now well and truly on towards project commissioning and first gold from Australia’s next major gold mine in the June quarter 2022.”

Williams acknowledged the milestone in consideration of some difficult labour shortage circumstances.

“Despite the challenging environment for people, equipment and services across the WA mining industry, King of the Hills remains within budget and on schedule, which is a credit to the diligence, hard work and focus of our team.”

Red 5 already overcame labour shortage issues in the previous financial year, producing 76,104 ounces from its Darlot gold hub 100 kilometres north of KOTH.

This was within the company’s target of 74,000 – 78,000 ounces of gold, while similar mining companies fell short because of the labour shortages.

The remaining half of construction at KOTH will involve the rest of the CIL tanks, SAG mill, process plant and power station.

“Construction of the CIL tanks is well advanced, with all eight tanks at full height,” Williams said.

“All steelwork and platework for the process plant has been awarded for fabrication and, remarkably, nearly 80 per cent of this steelwork is on site together with many key components for the SAG mill.

“The mill installation crews are now on site and have started preparing the mill sole plates for installation.”