A Blackwater Gold Mine project, located 160 kilometers southwest of Prince George remains on track for its gold pour by the end of this year.
According to the latest report by Artemis, construction is 87% complete and is expected to be completed on time and within budget.
“Through to June 30, 2024, we continued to advance construction and progress our operational readiness plans in-line with our expected timelines,” said Steven Dean, Chairman and CEO of Artemis Gold.
“The development of gold mines is complex and requires multiple skill sets and disciplines including risk management. This month we were challenged again by wildfires in the area of the mine and I would like to recognize the Blackwater team’s efforts to safely and orderly demobilize staff upon receipt of the recent wildfire evacuation order. Last week’s response to the lifting of the order and commencement of an expedient return and ramp-up to full-scale construction was a credit to our team.”
The company stated construction of the water management pond, excavation of the cutoff trench through Mine Creek in the tailings storage facility, and the earthworks and lining of the central water management pond were completed.
In addition, work on the tailings storage facility continues to progress.
Transmission Line
During the second quarter of this year, the transmission line continued to advance on schedule. The line is being built in two parts, north and south of the Nechako River.
The length of the northern section is approximately 50km and the southern section is approximately 80km.
In the North section, 98 per cent of foundations are complete, 97 per cent of pole structures are installed, 95 per cent of structural frames are complete and one-quarter of the conductor was installed.
In the South section, 91 per cent of foundations are complete, 84 per cent of pole structures are installed, 69 per cent of structural frames are complete and 10 per cent of the conductor was installed.
Upgrades to the BC Hydro Glenannan substation were completed while commissioning planning is advancing as planned.
The main 25 kV electrical substation to power infrastructure at Blackwater Mine was installed, and pole installation and conductor stringing across the asset is well progressed.
Aretmis also maintained its workforce of 350 employees iwith the ratios consisting of the following:
- 20% of the team are women;
- 30% identify as Indigenous;
- 45% are from the local region, and
- 80% are B.C. residents.
The total Blackwater Mine workforce, including staff and contractors employed at the mine site and along the transmission line, surpassed 800 at the end of June.
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