Final approval has been given for the Bellevue gold project in WA after the company received tailings facility and water storage permits.
The approvals were granted under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA) and are the final material permits required for commissioning and the full project operation.
Construction and underground development are currently on time and budget, with first gold set for the December 2023 quarter.
Bellevue Gold recently signed a power purchase agreement with Zenith Energy for the building and operating of a power station at the project.
“This power purchase agreement is another key milestone on the path to the start of gold production later this year,” Bellevue managing director Darren Stralow said.
“The high utilisation of renewable energy in the power station and the flexibility to time-shifting activities with renewable energy availability is central to our goal to be Australia’s first net-zero gold producer.
“As well as being environmentally responsible, this approach could see Bellevue receive a premium price for its gold.”
Mining commenced at the Bellevue project in April this year, and it is forecasted that the project will become one of the highest-grade, lowest-cost mines in the country.
The project is predicted to produce an average of over 200,000 ounces of gold per year for the first five years, with an all-in sustaining cost of $1000–1100 per ounce.