Capricorn Metals (ASX:CMM) has received regulatory approval for its Karlawinda Expansion Project in Western Australia. The approval allows the company to proceed with expanded mining activities across the Bibra, Southern Corridor, and Berwick open pits. It also covers the construction and development of tailings storage facility 2, additional run-of-mine pad, and extensions to the southern waste dump.
The approval extends to construction works for the expanded processing plant and other necessary infrastructure development at Karlawinda. The expansion project includes installing a new parallel three-stage crushing and ball mill circuit, increasing total processing capacity from 4 million tonnes per year to 6.5 million tonnes per year. Capricorn Metals is an Australian gold producer with operations across two distinct project areas.
With the expansion, the average annual gold production is forecast to increase by approximately 25 per cent from current levels, reaching around 150,000 ounces. In the June quarter, Capricorn Metals extended MACA’s mining contract for an additional five years. This extension incorporates a larger mining fleet to support the increased mining volume required to feed 6.5 million tonnes of ore to the expanded processing plant.
Additionally, a 164-room camp expansion has been substantially completed with an investment of $4.1 million. The process plant design scope has progressed to 60 per cent completion, and procurement of critical path items is ongoing. The Karlawinda Project is situated in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
