In Australia, after a ten-year shutdown, production was resumed at the Reward Gold Mine, located in the Hill End area. Project operator Vertex managed to launch the enterprise thanks to modern technologies, which made it possible to reach narrow gold-bearing veins that were previously considered inaccessible.
The combination of compact technology and remote control systems played a key role. The underground loader Aramine L350D, equipped with the AutoNav Tele complex from RCT, was used in the mine. Equipment integration was completed by Epiroc’s service center in Orange, NSW.
RCT Eastern Branch Manager Owen Perrott explained that new technology opens up access to areas that have remained untouched for decades due to the complex geometry of the veins. Now these reserves are becoming economically attractive.
The return of Reward Gold Mine to life is a significant example for the entire industry. Digitalization and remote control are no longer just buzzwords. They turn into tools that allow the so-called forgotten resources to be brought into circulation. Fields that were previously written off due to technical complexity or unprofitability are now getting a second chance.
This case also demonstrates how modern technologies change the approach to development. Instead of investing billions in developing new territories, companies can return to old sites and extract the remaining gold there. Savings on infrastructure and existing field data make such projects particularly profitable.
Thus, automation not only improves safety and efficiency, but also expands the mineral resource base using resources that were previously considered lost. For Australia, with its rich history of gold mining, this opens a new chapter.
Source: @zolteh
Image: @zolteh
