Bakubung Project Highlights

Key Milestones 2015

  • The main shaft development has a new forecast completion date for the 920 m shaft in November 2015, which is 55 days ahead of schedule
  • Similarly, the ventilation shaft is expected to reach its final depth of 880 m in September 2015, 144 days ahead of schedule
  • Commissioning bulk water supply to the mine and 13 mega litres fresh feed per day for the community
  • Commencement of waste development on multi-level through the ventilation shaft
  • Implementation of the mine operational readiness plan
  • Commencement of the process plant enquiry for the EPCM and front-end engineering (FEE)

Key Milestones 2016

  • Commencement of the main shaft commission
  • Continuation of waste development through the ventilation shaft
  • Order long lead items for the process plant
  • Progress mine operational readiness
  • Commission phase 2 power supply of 60MW to the mine
  • Achieved zero fatalities and LTIFR of 0.50
  • Shaft equipping:
  • Bunton sets 141
  • All pipes 9 916 m
  • All cabling deferred to 2017
  • Station steelwork 53 t
  • Loading box 114 t
  • Holing achieved on 81 L
  • Service shaft flat development 799 m
  • Flat development
  • Service shaft flat development 799 m
  • Construction of surface package
  • Scope deferred as part of board approved deferral initiative
  • Banksman’s cabin: Scope was initiated in 2016, completion was planned for early 2017
  • Control room was initiated in 2016; completion was planned for early 2017. Design change resulted in medical facility being moved to 2017
  • Scope was initiated in 2016, completion was planned for early 2017
  • Surface effluent civils: Scope completed
  • Phases 1c and 1a and the 50 million reservoir completion:
  • All phases completed on time
  • Ngwedi-Bakubung OH line commission Phase 2 and 3. Bakubung Substation commissioned: Phase 2 commissioned successfully in December 2016

Key Milestones 2017

  • Conclusion of shaft sinking
  • Process plant construction commences
  • Main shaft commissioned
  • Production build-up commences

Key Milestones 2021

  • Full production reached
  • Concentrator modules 2 and 3 commissioned