Mining

 

Current mining is by way of conventional open pit mining method, using a fleet of dig and haul hydraulic excavators and articulated dump trucks.

 

The topsoil and overburden are stripped from the mining area and stock piled separately, ready for pit rehabilitation.

 

The combined topsoil and overburden varies in thickness throughout the resource, extending more than 25m below surface.

 

Once the product mined, is carted to the drying pads for solar drying at the mine site. Solar drying is the most economical way to reduce the moisture content to required levels for processing, this process requires approximately 7-10 days to complete.

 

The mined product has a density of approximately 1:1. This means that 1 cubic metre of product will weigh approximately 1,000Kgs.