LIHIR Gold Ltd’s Ballarat gold mine has reopened following successful restoration of the main Woolshed Gully access decline.
The decline has been closed since 19 November, when a rock fall over a 12 metre span, some 740 metres from the entry, blocked access to the underground work areas.
A remediation plan devised in close collaboration with regulatory authorities, and with a strong focus on the safety of recovery workers, has enabled the decline to be cleared.
Additional support has been installed in the decline above and below the affected area to ensure the continued safety of mine workers.
Normal underground operations are being progressively resumed, again with a primary focus on safety.
The rock fall has caused a three month delay in the development of the underground infrastructure.
However, LGL is confident the mine will commence commercial production by the end of 2008.