The Dome underground resumed operations in early 2006 after being put on Care and Maintenance in May 2004. Prior to 2004, the Dome Underground had been one of the Porcupine districts most prolific gold producers, spanning over 95 years of continuous operations since its discovery in 1909 and its production start up in 1910. The mine contains hundreds of miles of drifts and hundreds of stopes on 33 levels, with a shaft that extends to a depth of 1,665 meters. During its mine life. the Dome Underground has produced 13.4 million ounces from 56 million tonnes at an average grade of 7.52 grams per tonne (gpt).
A variety of mining methods, including shrinkage, cut and fill, panel, conventional longhole and bulk longhole have been employed since the start of operations. Ore and materials are still moved underground by battery locos, which run on 24" gauge track. The upper levels of the mine intersect with the Dome open pit, which ceased operations in 2007.
With the reopening of the underground in 2006 a number of previously defined longhole resources were put into production and the development of two large bulk longhole zones was initiated. Today, both the Bulk Zones are in full production making up 70% of the underground ore production. The Bulk Zones mine through old Cut & Fill stopes that contain both sand and hydraulic fill. In addition to diluting the grade, difficulties were encountered in moving the fill through the underground ore passes, mill chutes and screens. In 2008 the underground's engineers implemented the novel solution of installing screening plants underground to remove the fill from the ore. Production has since increased from the Bulk Zones due to the innovative application of screening to an underground mine.
Production for 2009 is planned to be 570K tonnes at a grade of 4.11 gpt, producing 71K ounces. The mine is budgeted for 88 employees including operations, maintenance and technical service personnel. Additionally, the Dome Underground employs development and longhole drilling contractors.
The Bulk Zones extend the mine life to 2010. In 2009 the Engineering and Geology personnel will continue to aggressively evaluate additional areas to develop and extend the mine's life beyond 2010. An historic past, combined with a great ore body and dedicated people, all bode well for a bright future.
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#8 Headframe |
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Dome Underground Mine
