Mining News: Northern Neighbors: Brucejack energized; gold production next

Pretium Resources Inc. March 31 reported that the transmission line to its Brucejack Mine is energized, a major milestone for this new high-grade gold operation in northwestern British Columbia. Commissioning in now underway and first ore expected to be introduced to the mill in mid-April. Construction of underground infrastructure at Brucejack - including the crusher, conveyor, and transfer towers - is nearing completion and the electrical substation has been energized. The installation of the SAG and ball mills is slated for completion during the first week of April. More than 163,000 metric tons of ore has already been stockpiled. Upon reaching commercial production, the high-grade underground operation at Brucejack is expected to produce 7.27 million ounces of gold over an 18-year mine life, or roughly 404,000 oz of the precious metal annually, according to a feasibility study completed in 2014.

-Shane Lasley