- Bellevue Gold Project
will create 230 jobs and support regional communities
- Project aims to be a net-zero
emissions mine site by 2026
- Exploration Incentive Scheme underpins
Bellevue Gold's drilling success
- Company
working closely with Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation
The Cook Government has
congratulated Bellevue Gold for officially opening its $252 million Bellevue
Gold Project, which sees the mine reopen after sitting dormant for more than 20
years.
Mines and Petroleum Minister
David Michael attended today's formal opening of the mine in the Eastern
Goldfields.
Located 35 kilometres
north-west of Leinster, Bellevue Gold will employ about 230 workers, who will
be housed in rooms 20 per cent larger than the industry standard.
The company expects to
produce more than 1.8 million ounces of gold over an initial 10-year mine life.
With a mineral resource of 3.1 million ounces at 9.9 grams per tonne, the mine
will be one of Australia's highest-grade gold mines.
Bellevue Gold aims to be
a net-zero emission site by 2026, with the lowest greenhouse gas intensity of
any major Australian gold project. This will allow the company to market 'green
gold', a product which has the potential to attract a price premium.
Wind and solar are
expected to provide up to 80 per cent of the facility's overall power needs.
The earliest production
at the mine site dates back to the early 1900s. Operations restarted in 1986
before closing in 1996, at a time of historically low gold prices. The project lay dormant until Bellevue Gold
recommenced exploration activities in 2017.
The Cook Government's
Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) co-funded Bellevue Gold's drilling
activities in 2017 and 2019, and these results underpinned the mine's
reopening.
Comments attributed to Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael:
"Congratulations to
Bellevue Gold on the opening of its remarkable gold mining project, which will
deliver economic benefits to the Eastern Goldfields and jobs for local communities.
"I
commend Bellevue Gold for working closely with the Tjiwarl Aboriginal
Corporation to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes, and for committing to
ongoing engagement.
"It is also encouraging
to see the Bellevue Gold Project aim for net zero emissions as Western
Australia's resources sector will play a key role in the State's transition to
a low carbon economy.
"The Cook Government
remains supportive of mining and resources companies that are leading by
example and embracing renewable energy solutions.
"The Exploration
Incentive Scheme continues to encourage exploration in remote regions of WA,
and it's always pleasing to see the scheme deliver such outstanding outcomes.
"With record sales
of $18.6 billion in 2022-23, gold will continue to play a significant role in
WA's economic future."
