Alba Mineral Resources plc has begun emergency dewatering after the regulator refused to allow an increase in the abstraction rate within Clogau-St David’s gold mine, north Wales.
EXPLORATION
The company had applied for a temporary variation to restart pumping at the higher 100m3/day rate after heavy rain during July and August reflooded the lower Llechfraith shaft to the original level.
Following Natural Resources Wales’ refusal Alba started emergency abstraction to protect safety and access works completed on levels 2 and 3 prior to the reflooding.
Applications for formal variations to the discharge and abstraction permits are “progressing”.
The company has completed final bat exclusion and noise mitigation measures in readiness for exploration activities at level 4, on completion of dewatering.
Installation of a cabin on the Llechfraith adit level has also finished.
Alba added that the planned airborne geophysical survey over some key regional gold targets is likely to be deferred to next month due to continuing delays by the Civil Aviation Authority.