Vault Minerals has submitted its certified Closure Plan Amendment to the Ontario Ministry of Energy and Mines in respect to a proposed Southern Tailings Management Facility at its Sugar Zone gold project, underpinning progression toward a planned restart of underground activities in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027.
Vault has completed an extensive drilling campaign of 114,000 meters since mining and processing activities went idle in August 2023. The program culminated in an Ore Reserve of 2.3 Mt at 5.4 g/t for 389,000 ounces and the addition of a third mining front at Sugar Zone South.
Alongside exploration advancements and improved drill data, Vault has undertaken a comprehensive program of infrastructure refurbishment and upgrades. This includes enhancements to underground mine infrastructure, surface and underground services (notably surface compressors, pump stations, the underground mine water delivery process, and underground fuel bays), as well as surface workshops and personnel facilities.
Upon restart, operations will employ conventional top-down long-hole open stoping methods without consolidated fill, targeting a production rate of 900 tonnes per day, or 320,000 tonnes per annum. A new underground mining fleet purchased in 2023 will be also be utilized to enable improved efficiency and operational performance.
Vault said mining activities are expected to recommence under an owner-operator model with a development-only phase of approximately nine to 12 months. It is eyeing a restart of the processing facility in Q1 FY28.
Sugar Zone is located in Ontario, approximately 30 km north of White River and midway between Thunder Bay and Sault St. Marie.
Source: Vault Minerals