General News
28 November, 2022
Tunnel plan lodged
CONSTRUCTION of a gold exploration tunnel near Mitiamo could start within 12 months. Catalyst Metals has lodged a work plan for the 3.6km-long tunnel running 140 metres below ground. The company says the plan is an “important step in its strategy to...
CONSTRUCTION of a gold exploration tunnel near Mitiamo could start within 12 months.
Catalyst Metals has lodged a work plan for the 3.6km-long tunnel running 140 metres below ground.
The company says the plan is an “important step in its strategy to find the extension of the historic Bendigo goldfield by starting the approvals process for a proposed exploration tunnel at the Four Eagles Gold Project”.
General manager Victorian operations Adam Place said the 1000-page plan would be reviewed by multiple government agencies.
The approval process is expected to take nine months with stage one development possible from next July and underground drilling starting mid-2024.
The tunnell plan has been lodged with Earth Resources Regulation, the State Government’s resources and mineral exploration regulator.
Catalyst told the Australian Stock Exchange that when completed, the tunnel would allow for extensive drilling.
“The aim of this program would be to observe important geological information that could not otherwise be seen from the surface,” Catalyst said,
“The exploration tunnel enables drilling to be conducted all year-round. It also allows Catalyst to explore for deeper extensions to the already known gold-bearing structures.”
Technical director Bruce Kay, said: “The Boyd’s Dam exploration tunnel would be an important step for Catalyst and for low-impact exploration under cover in Victoria. An exploration tunnel would provide Catalyst with an opportunity to explore deeper and more efficiently below the current mineralisation at Boyd’s Dam and Hayanmi.
“The submission of the work plan application is a critical first step in the approvals process which will involve a thorough assessment of Catalyst’s technical studies and designs.
“We look forward to working with government in this process.”
The company told shareholders the tunnel would enable low surface impact drilling of targets which have historically been difficult to access due to the overlying Murray Basin sediments and limited by seasonal cropping and weather.
“An extensive stakeholder engagement program over the past nine months involved more than 50 briefing sessions, site meetings, kitchen table conversations and presentations with landowners, neighbours, community members, the Victorian Government and other key stakeholders,” the company said.
“Engagement will continue throughout the approvals process.”
Catalyst earlier this year formed a community consultative committee of residents in the district.
Last week’s announcement coincided with Catalyst Metals’ annual general meeting in Perth.
In Victoria, Catalyst manages the entire Whitelaw Gold Belt and has interests in 13 exploration licences and two retention licences which extend for 75 kms along both the Whitelaw and Tandarra Faults north of Bendigo and north of the Fosterville and Inglewood goldfields.