North of 60 Mining News - The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North

Pretium Resources Inc. March 9 reported that construction at its high-grade Brucejack gold mine in northern British Columbia is ahead of schedule. The company said it plans to begin dry commissioning of the mill this month and wet commissioning is expected in early April, well ahead of the mid-2017 commissioning plan.

In preparation for startup, Pretium has stockpiled more than 144,000 metric tons of high-grade ore from the underground gold mine.

The company is reporting smooth progress on the finalization of construction at Brucejack.

The 330-person camp has been commissioned and is fully operational.

Crews have finished installing the mills and should have the electrical and mechanical work within the mill building completed and ready to be energized by the end of the month.

Construction of the 57-kilometer (35 miles) transmission line, feeding electricity to the mine from the British Columbia power-grid, is nearing completion and is expected to be energized later this month.

Additionally, the company has ample diesel generated power on-site to maintain full mill and underground production in the event of any grid power interruption.

Construction continues on the Valley of the Kings portal building. External structural steel erection is complete and internal structural steel, mechanical and electrical installation is progressing.

The portal will serve as the primary access point to convey the gold ore from the underground crusher to the mill.

With the US$540 million construction financing, available cash on hand and the proceeds from the convertible senior subordinated notes, Pretium says it has sufficient capital to complete the construction of the Brucejack Mine and fund initial start-up costs.

The Valley of the Kings deposit at Brucejack hosts 15.6 million metric tons of proven and probable reserves grading 16.1 grams per metric ton (8.1 million ounces) gold. This includes 3.3 million metric tons of proven reserves averaging 14.5 g/t (1.6 million oz) gold, enough ore for the first three years of production.

-SHANE LASLEY