Ore led PureGold for first production!

First ore delivered on time & on budget 

Pure Gold Mining Inc announces a major milestone with first ore introduced to the mill at the Company’s high-grade PureGold Mine, in Red Lake, Ontario. With ore delivered and first gold production scheduled this month, commissioning activities will transition into full scale ramp up of the mining and milling operations over the coming quarter.

“This is a very exciting day for our shareholders, the community of Red Lake, and our entire team,” stated Darin Labrenz, President and CEO of PureGold. “The introduction of ore to the milling facility reflects the successful culmination of our project build, and signals the commencement of the next chapter in our Company’s evolution as Canada’s newest gold mine. 

Just last year, we announced our intention to become a producer and we are delivering on that promise, on-track and on schedule for first gold production this month. Bringing a mine on-stream in 2020 is a firm testament to our incredible team, the support we have received from our First Nations partners; Wabauskang First Nation and Lac Seul First Nation, the Province of Ontario, Red Lake Municipal and the entire Red Lake community. 

We look forward to our first gold pour, making the transition to commercial production and continuing to build and expand the PureGold Mine into an iconic Canadian producer in the heart of Red Lake.”

Chief Doug Riffel of Wabauskang First Nation and Chief Clifford Bull of Lac Seul First Nation said, “We are very pleased with the development and the ongoing progress we continue to make in our relationship with PureGold. Built on the principles of Environmental Stewardship, Resource Sharing and Mutual Respect, we look forward to a long, mutually beneficial relationship.” 

As the second operating mines in Red Lake, the PureGold mine is a major contributor to the economy of the region.  The mine currently employs over 200 people and the workforce is expected to average 350 individuals during the twelve year phase one mine operation with approximately $470 million in life of mine salaries projected over that period.

With over 21,000 tonnes of broken ore available, crushing has commenced and first ore has been introduced to the grinding circuit at a rate of approximately 25 tonnes per hour or 600 tonnes per day. 

The mills have operated for short periods at nameplate capacity of 800 tonnes per day and have done so seamlessly, with no operational issues. 

Gravity concentration will recover free-milling gold, followed by pre-oxidation, leaching, carbon in pulp circuit and electro winning, and refining to produce doré gold, with first gold expected before the end of 2020. 

With the commencement of milling operations, underground development will now focus on ore development and mining activities. As at the start of mill operations, a broken ore inventory of approximately 21,000 tonnes is available as mill feed, and a stockpile of ore is expected to be maintained through 2021. Exploration drilling outside of the existing mine plan continues, with two surface drill rigs and results will be released during the course of activities. Additionally, underground drilling designed to infill and expand mineral resources continues, with the goal of optimizing and expanding the near term mine plan.