Australia’s newest gold operation — the Gruyere mine located 200 kilometres northeast of Laverton — has officially opened and is safely ramping up to an average annual production of 300,000 ounces. The project is a 50:50 joint venture between Gold Road Resources and Gold Fields.
The Gruyere deposit in the Yamarna greenstone belt was first discovered by Gold Road in 2013 and later confirmed as one of the largest gold discoveries in Western Australia in more than a decade after a 1,700-metre drilling by the company co-funded by the Exploration Incentive Scheme.
The mine is expected to meet its first production target of 75,000 to 100,000 ounces
The mine was officially opened by Western Australia Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston. “Gruyere is a powerful example of the value of the Exploration Incentive Scheme’s flagship Co-funded Drilling Program, a longstanding initiative that the McGowan Government continues to support,” Johnston said during Gruyere’s opening ceremony.
“This project is one of about 25 discoveries that have benefited from the scheme, other gold projects include the Tropicana East, Handpump and Dusk til Dawn gold projects.”
According to Gold Fields, the mine operator and manager, the Gruyere mining and processing operations will provide direct employment for more than 250 employees and contractors during its 12-year mine life. The project boasts an estimated resource of 155.37 million tonnes grading 1.32 g/t.
Mining at Gruyere began in November last year, and first gold was poured on June 30, 2019. By the end of this year, the mine is expected to meet its first production target of 75,000 to 100,000 ounces.