Optimised design reduces cost

Project
Moose River Consolidated Gold Project
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Timeframe
May 2016 - Oct 2017
Client
Atlantic Gold Corporation
Industry Sector
Minerals & Metals
Commodity
Gold
Service Area
Process Plants; Project Delivery
Solutions
Conceptual & Feasibility Studies; Gold Processing Plants; Materials Handling; Power Generation & Supply; Tailings Management & Metal Recovery; Water Supply; Commissioning; EPC/EPCM Contracting; Construction Management

Ausenco’s value driven approach and commitment to optimised plant design and layout secured the contract to develop the Moose River Consolidated Gold project – an open-pit gold mine located 110 km northeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Ausenco’s involvement with the project began in 2007, with several studies completed before the fixed price EPC contract was signed in May 2016.

The scope of the EPC contract included the delivery of a 2 mtpa Carbon-In-Leach gold processing plant and associated site infrastructure. The plant is designed to produce ~90,000 ounces of gold per annum. The first gold was poured in October 2017.

Ausenco’s extensive experience delivering low cost plants under this contracting method speaks to our focus on fit-for-purpose design and efficiency in systems and processes.

Ausenco implemented the following capital reduction strategies:

  • Site layout optimisation - significant reduction in earthworks, optimised building location and layout
  • Plant layout optimisation - significant reduction in bulk quantities - concrete, structural steel, piping, electrical cables
  • Flowsheet optimisation - removal of pre-leach thickener
  • Fit for purpose design - utilisation of semi-mobile 3-stage crushing plant
  • Appropriate use of modular and pre-fabricated packages - crushing plant, elution circuit, effluent treatment plant, CIL tanks

Located in a Maritime Temperate zone, with cycles of freeze-thaw during winter months rather than extended periods of intense cold, meant special consideration was given to the design and to weather potential so that the project was delivered on schedule.

View Moose River infographic for a snapshot of the project.

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