Kingsgate has started mining operations at its Chatree gold mine in Thailand.
The operations have started at the mine’s A pit west and will focus on mining approximately 200,000 tonnes of waste rock and ore that have remained since Chatree closed in 2016.
Chatree, located in central Thailand approximately 280km north of Bangkok, was the country’s first and largest modern gold mine, commencing operations in November 2001.
The mine has produced over 1.8 million ounces of gold and over 10 million ounces of silver since it opened.
A total of four Epiroc T45 drill rigs have arrived to assist with the operation, as has the first shipment of explosives for blasting in November.
On the back of this news, Kingsgate has appointed Rob Kinnaird as Chatree’s new general manager operations.
Kinnaird will bring over 35 years of experience to the role, having previously worked at Macmahon, Brynecut and OZ Minerals.
He has also previously worked at Chatree and has extensive knowledge of the operation.
“We are delighted to achieve another important milestone in the restart of Chatree, by recommencing mining operations in the A pit,” Kingsgate executive chairman Ross Smyth-Kirk said.
“On top of that, we’ve appointed Rob Kinnaird as the new general manager of operations, whom I know from experience is a very capable pair of hands, and I want to congratulate Rob on his new role.”
