Underground mining contractor PYBAR Mining Services has been awarded the development and mining contracts at Auctus Resources’ Mungana and King Vol projects in North Queensland.
PYBAR has launched operations at both sites, with the contract at Mungana to span 32 months and the King Vol activities to cover five years.
The contract at the Mungana zinc-copper-silver-gold-lead mine follows PYBAR’s early works program at the site, which was completed in January.
PYBAR’s scope of early works consisted of the rehabilitation of the decline, the re-establishment of underground services and electrical supply, and the commencement of waste development out to the orebody.
The equipment fleet for the early works comprised of one jumbo, a truck and loader, which achieved development of up to 300 metres per month. PYBAR recently introduced a second jumbo at the site to increase development rates.
Production at Mungana is expected to ramp up this year, peaking in early 2018.
At the King Vol zinc mine, 25km northwest of Mungana, PYBAR mobilised on site in February after being awarded the five-year contract. It has established the portal and ground support, developed the first 40m of the decline, and established the explosive magazines, temporary workshop and offices.
Over the coming months the permanent offices, workshop, ablutions, batch plant and sewerage treatment plant will be established, as well as pushing the decline down and developing the first levels to begin production in the second half of this year, according to the contractor.
PYBAR chief executive Paul Rouse said the award of the Mungana and King Vol contracts was significant for the company.
“Along with our recent contract award at Thalanga and long standing partnership at Mt Isa, we are re-establishing our presence at underground projects in Queensland as we enter a new nation-wide phase of growth,” Rouse said.
“Our focus at these sites, and operations-wide, is on building a close working relationship with our clients to deliver safe, rapid development and production – applying innovative technology and solutions where we know they can deliver value.”
PYBAR’s workforces at Mungana and King Vol will peak at 72 and 83 personnel, respectively.