In December 2007, together with work on the addition of the ball mill for the first circuit, work commenced on the construction of a full second processing line at Pioneer. Agreements have been signed for the planned larger 7.5m x 2.5m SAG mill and a 4.0m x 6.0m ball mill, sourced from the Peoples Republic of China, as well as for the bulk of the steel requirements. The second line is expected to be commissioned in December 2008.
Planned additions to the mining fleet, primarily to address the waste stripping requirements at Pioneer, are underway and contracts are expected to be finalised in first quarter of 2008 for the purchase of an additional EKG5 electric shovel, two 10m3 excavators, and large 90t capacity haultrucks. The ore fleet is also to be expanded by the addition of larger 45-55t capacity haultrucks.
Construction of infrastructure continues as planned, including the workers’ camp, earthmoving equipment garages and access and haul roads, as well as the installation of a second 35kVA power line from Pokrovskiy to supply the Pioneer second circuit.
