In December 2021 quarter the first sulphide stopes in both Happy Jack North and Bulletin mines commenced extraction with good recovery.
The production method employed is long hole open stoping with in-situ pillars for local support, until the cemented paste fill plant is constructed, and paste distributed to the underground workings.
Mining operations ceased on 14 December 2022, with mining contractor Byrnecut demobilised from site by quarter end and the underground mine placed on care and maintenance.
The Wiluna Mining continued developing the Wiltails project. Wiltails Ore Reserve includes reclaimed tailings material in Tailings Storage Facilities C, H and Western Extension and backfilled pits at Adelaide, Golden Age, Moonlight and Squib.
SULPHIDE DEVELOPMENT PLAN (2021)
The Wiluna Mining Centre is divided into three geographical areas, centred on underground mine portals and planned mining areas of the Stage 1 Sulphide Development plan. Mining is planned to commence at the Wiluna North Mine area via the existing Bulletin Decline, and two existing declines at the Happy Jack deposit, and then extend to the Wiluna South Mine area via two additional existing declines in East Pit. The Stage 1 plan focusses on high-grade sulphide ore bodies close to existing decline access and less than 600m deep, leading to rapid low-cost access to ore.
PREVIOUS UNDERGROUND OPERATIONS
In 2016 was commenced underground mining of ........