Golden Star Resources’ Paste fill plant commissioning process at its Wassa gold mine in Ghana, started in Quarter 1 (Q1) of 2021, following the completion of the plant construction in Q4 2020
According to a statement by Golden Star, the commissioning was delayed by some quality assurance testing returning lower than expected fill strengths in the test stope in April 2021.
As a result, the test work programme has been extended. The company is working in collaboration with Minefill Services and the University of Mines and Technology in Tarkwa, Ghana.
According to Andrew Wray, CEO of Golden Star, core samples for the initial test stope have been obtained and are being tested in parallel with further test work on the mix design.
Wray says that additional samples have now arrived in Australia for confirmatory testing and mix design test work.
“Recent test results, particularly at a higher cement content of 7-10%, have shown results that support progression of the commissioning process onto filling of a second test stope.
The second test stope has been identified and is currently progressing through the production phase ahead of filling, which is anticipated to occur during Q3 2021. The stope will be tested with a 10% cement blend for maximum fill strength, while off-site mix design optimisation and test work continue. Should this test work return satisfactory strength results, as expected, the company anticipates re-commencement of the filling schedule in Q4 2021 allowing for production from secondary stopes, as previously planned, in 2022,” says Wray.