Galantas Gold Corporation said the Government had granted it a visa licence to recruit eligible overseas mine workers for its Cavanacaw gold mine in Omagh, Northern Ireland.
LABOUR MARKET
The Canadian company added it had faced a tight labour market for experienced underground miners, and had focused on hiring and training local trainee miners.
Galantas will now be able to recruit eligible people who satisfy the labour entry requirements from outside the UK and Ireland.
OPERATIONS
The company said it had made significant progress in rehabilitating the underground workings, refurbishing and acquiring critical mining equipment, and installation of electrical, water and ventilation systems.
Galantas delayed completion of the secondary egress and installation of the manway, which is a prerequisite before production starts, to mid-May 2022.
This will enable safe rehabilitation of the ramp access and ore headings at the 1048 level.
The company added that it had resolved these geotechnical matters and hired an experienced contract driller to assist with the start-up of production.
Galantas expects to restart development drilling and blasting in the first half of May, and to begin production stoping in mid to late June.
PRODUCTION
Chief executive Mario Stifano said that the delay to the completion of the secondary egress was part of the company’s commitment to best mining and operational practices.
“Initial production is expected at 4,500 to 5,500 ounces for the balance of the year from mine sequencing and production commencement during the month of June.”
JOSHUA AND KEARNEY VEINS
Mr Stifano added that company was working with QME to develop engineering plans to accelerate development to the Joshua vein by 12 months.
This will enable Galantas to mine from multiple headings and veins to provide greater operational flexibility with an expected positive impact on 2023 production.
It will also provide drilling platforms to drill both Joshua and Kearney veins from underground.
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