Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Newcrest Mining
March 2014
TECHNICAL REPORT ON
THE
TELFER PROPERTY
IN
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA
Prepared by Newcrest Mining Limited,
in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101,
Standards for Disclosure of Mineral Projects,
of the Canadian Securities Administrators.
Qualified Persons:
Mr Colin Moorhead BSc (Hons), FAusIMM
Effective Date of Report:
31 December 2013
CONTENTS
SUMMARY .................................................................................................................1
Introduction and Terms of Reference........................................................................1
1.1
Geology ........................................................................................................1
1.2
Mine Production ............................................................................................1
1.3
Mineral Resources ........................................................................................1
1.4
Mineral Reserves ..........................................................................................2
1.5
Mining Operations .........................................................................................3
1.5.1 Main Dome and West Dome (Open Pit)............................................. 3
1.5.2 Telfer Main Dome Underground (Underground) ................................ 4
1.6
Infrastructure and Concentrate Handling .......................................................6
1.7
Environment and Community Management ..................................................6
1.8
Capital and Operating Costs .........................................................................6
1.9
Conclusions ..................................................................................................7
1.10 Recommendations ........................................................................................7
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................8
2.1
General and Terms of Reference ..................................................................8
2.2
Report Authors ..............................................................................................8
2.3
Units of Measure and Currency.....................................................................9
HISTORY ..................................................................................................................22
6.1
Discovery ....................................................................................................22
6.2
6.3
6.4
ii
EXPLORATION ........................................................................................................41
9.1
Telfer ..........................................................................................................41
9.2
O'Callaghans ..............................................................................................41
9.3
Camp Dome................................................................................................42
10
DRILLING .................................................................................................................43
10.1 Drilling Programmes....................................................................................43
10.2 Survey Control ............................................................................................47
10.3 Geological Logging .....................................................................................48
10.4 Sampling Procedures ..................................................................................48
11
12
iii
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
19.8
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Table 1.1
Table 1.2
Table 1.3
Table 1.4
Table 1.5
Table 2.1
Table 2.2
Table 4.1
Table 4.2
Table 6.1
Table 10.1
Table 10.2
Table 10.3
Table 14.1
Table 14.2
Table 14.3
Table 14.4
Table 14.5
Table 14.6
Table 14.7
iv
Table 14.8
Table 14.9
Table 14.10
Table 14.11
Table 14.12
Table 14.13
Table 14.14
Table 14.15
Table 14.16
Table 14.17
Table 14.18
Table 14.19
Table 14.20
Table 14.21
Table 15.1
Table 15.2
Table 15.3
Table 15.4
Table 15.5
Table 17.1
Table 17.2
Table 21.1
Table 21.2
Table 21.3
Table 21.4
Figure 4.1
Figure 7.1
Figure 7.2
Figure 7.3
Figure 7.4
Figure 7.5
Figure 7.6
Figure 7.7
Figure 7.8
Figure 10.1
Figure 10.2
Figure 10.3
Figure 11.1
Figure 11.2
Figure 11.3
Figure 11.4
Figure 11.5
Figure 11.6
Figure 11.7
Figure 11.8
Figure 11.9
Figure 11.10
Figure 11.11
Figure 11.12
Figure 11.13
Figure 11.14
Figure 11.15
Figure 11.16
Figure 11.17
Figure 14.1
Figure 14.2
Figure 14.3
Figure 14.4
Figure 14.5
Figure 14.6
Figure 14.7
Figure 15.1
Figure 15.2
Figure 15.3
Figure 15.4
Figure 16.1
Figure 17.1
Figure 18.1
vi
SUMMARY
Geology
The Telfer Gold Mine is 100% owned by Newcrest and is located within the Great Sandy
Desert of Western Australia, approximately 450km by road southeast of Port Hedland and
680km northeast of Newman.
The project area is comprised of granted mining leases that contain gold and copper
mineralization characterized as bimodal in nature with relatively high grade stratabound
reefs and spatially associated lower grade stockworks hosted within Proterozoic sediments.
Deep weathering depleted the copper in the upper sections of the orebody, whilst the
underlying resource retained both copper and gold content.
Historical gold production was processed using gravity and cyanide leaching processes.
The current operation consists of both open pit and underground operations. Ore
processing facilities now exploit the large gold and copper sulphide resources by flotation
producing a gold rich copper concentrate and dor recovered from gravity circuits.
Additional small tonnages of oxide material are processed through dump leach circuits.
1.2
Mine Production
In the financial year (FY) ending 30 June 2013, Telfer milled 21.5Mt of ore producing
525koz of gold and 26.5kt of contained copper. Cash costs for the year are reported at
A$1,022/oz Au after other by-product credits.
1.3
Mineral Resources
The 31 December 2013 Mineral Resource update has been based on a detailed review
completed by Newcrest of all Telfer production sources to take into account Newcrests
current view of long term metal prices, foreign exchange and cost assumptions, and mining
and metallurgy performance to inform cut-off grades and physical mining parameters. This
has resulted in the most marginal ounces being removed and this has been reflected in
changes to Mineral Resource estimates. The Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources
for Telfer as at 31 December 2013 include a material reduction of approximately 5.2Moz of
gold to 13Moz of gold, compared with the 31 December 2012 estimate of 18.2Moz of gold.
This reduction has primarily come from West Dome and Main Dome open pit Mineral
Resources as a result of the review of long term economic assumptions.
Table 1.1 lists Telfer gold and copper Mineral Resources at 31 December 2013. The Main
Dome and West Dome open pit Mineral Resources are reported inside optimization shells
to reflect that part of the resource model for which there are reasonable prospects for
eventual economic extraction. Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of Mineral
Reserves. Vertical Stockwork Corridor ("VSC"), Sub-Level Cave ("SLC"), Western Flanks
and underground selective reefs external to the SLC are reported as Telfer Underground
Mineral Resources.
Table 1.1
Au
(g/t)
Cu
(%)
Au
(Moz)
Cu
(Mt)
24
0.40
0.09
0.3
0.02
24
0.40
0.09
0.3
0.02
210
0.67
0.09
4.5
0.18
170
0.66
0.06
3.6
0.10
Measured Resource
Main Dome Stockpiles
Total Measured Resource
Indicated Resources
Telfer Underground
96
1.5
0.33
4.7
0.31
0.57
4.2
0.03
0.1
<0.01
480
0.84
0.12
13
0.59
2.6
0.56
0.09
0.05
<0.01
1.1
0.46
0.06
0.02
<0.01
Telfer Underground
53
0.95
0.21
1.6
0.11
Camp Dome
14
0.37
0.05
1.7
2.58
0.08
0.14
<0.01
73
0.79
0.23
1.8
0.17
Inferred Resources
Table 1.2 lists the Mineral Resource for the O'Callaghans polymetallic deposit.
Table 1.2
Indicated Resource
Inferred Resource
1.4
WO3
(%)
Zn
(%)
Pb
(%)
Cu
(%)
69
0.34
0.55
0.27
0.29
0.25
0.15
0.07
0.24
Mineral Reserves
The 31 December 2013 Mineral Reserve update has been based on a detailed review
completed by Newcrest of all Telfer production sources to take into account Newcrests
current view of long term metal prices, foreign exchange and cost assumptions, and mining
and metallurgy performance to inform cut-off grades and physical mining parameters. This
has resulted in the most marginal ounces being removed and this has been reflected in
changes to Mineral Reserve estimates. The Mineral Reserves for Telfer as at 31 December
2013 include a material reduction of approximately 5.3Moz of gold to 5.6Moz of gold,
2
compared with the 31 December 2012 estimate of 10.9Moz of gold. This reduction has
primarily come from the West Dome and Main Dome open pit Mineral Reserves as a result
of the review of long term economic assumptions.
Table 1.3 lists Telfer gold and copper Mineral Reserves at 31 December 2013.
Table 1.3
Au
(g/t)
Cu
(%)
Au
(Moz)
Cu
(Mt)
24
0.40
0.09
0.3
0.02
24
0.40
0.09
0.3
0.02
74
0.95
0.10
2.3
0.08
73
0.68
0.06
1.6
0.05
Telfer Underground
37
1.2
0.21
1.5
0.08
180
0.90
0.11
5.3
0.20
Notes: 1. The cut offs applied are variable and are described in the text of the report
2. Metal prices used, gold - US$1,250/oz, copper - US$2.70/lb
3. Rounding may cause some apparent computational discrepancies
1.5
Mining Operations
The original mining operations at Telfer commenced in 1977 and continued until October
2000 over which time they produced approximately 6Moz of gold. Production was
suspended due to escalating costs, with the operations placed on care and maintenance
until feasibility studies for redevelopment of the mine were completed.
Modern operations recommenced with mining production from the open pits in late 2004
and commissioning of two process trains recovering gold as well as recovering copper as a
valuable by-product.
The recommencement of underground operations in 2006 created opportunities to augment
production from the main open pits through the selective mining of deeper, dispersed,
higher grade areas that could not be economically extracted with surface mining
techniques. There are numerous aspects to the current and developing underground mining
areas within the Telfer operation with differing mining techniques matched to specific
ground conditions.
The original design production capacity of the redeveloped open pit production was 17Mtpa
with an additional 4Mtpa scheduled for production from underground mining. The feasibility
study recognized that the mining rate could achieve in excess of 18Mtpa when softer ore
was being mined. Since commissioning, the production from underground operations has
increased to approximately 6Mtpa and open pit ore makes up the remainder of the plant
feed. The combined open pit and underground mining operations fed the mill with 21.5Mt of
ore in the year ending 30 June 2013.
1.5.1
Mining methods at Main Dome and West Dome are the same. Current mining activities at
the Telfer open pits are conducted via conventional truck and shovel operations, standard
waste rock dumps and stockpiling and reclaim of lower grade ore. An excavator configured
load fleet is utilised to selectively extract ore material from a total twelve metre design
bench height via three 4m high flitches. The 4m flitches are used in order to reduce ore
dilution and loss. Bulk waste is stripped via two 6m flitches. Productivities, availabilities and
utilisations used within the production schedule have been based on current performance.
The current mining fleet employed within the Telfer open pit includes:
Open pit operations within the Main and West Dome pits have traditionally focused on the
selective extraction of the ore material within the Mineral Reserve through the use of the
site excavator fleet. This configuration of this equipment, and selective ore mining approach
adopted for ore mining, has led to the use of 12m benches comprising of three 4m flitches.
Reef and adjacent waste, as well as the edges of stock work ore, are selectively mined,
while broad areas of stock work ore and waste are bulk mined. Some near-surface oxidised
stock work is dump leached and this is bulk mined. All other ore is fed to the processing
plant and is referred to as direct float ore. Direct float ore is hauled to the ROM and
normally direct tipped into the two gyratory crushers, but with allowance for stockpiling and
rehandling a percentage of the direct float ore on the ROM pad. Dump leach ore is dumped
for leaching on existing pads to the west of Main Dome and to the east of West Dome.
Waste is used for tailings storage facility construction or delivered to a dump south of the
Main Dome pit and west of the West Dome pit. Of the total waste to be mined,
approximately 20% has been identified as potentially acid-forming and will continue to be
segregated into confined cells within the waste dump and encapsulated using non-acidforming waste.
Ore and waste zones are all blasted on standard pattern spacing with 12m benches
irrespective of the subsequent mining method being either a selective approach utilizing the
excavator flitch extraction or a bulk shovel/loader configuration. However, blast drill hole
diameter and explosive powder factors are adjusted to account for the varying mining
methods. All blast hole drilling is undertaken with either hammer or rotary drill rigs
depending upon the required hole size and rock characteristics.
Geological and geotechnical conditions are complex and a number of batter failures, and in
some cases multiple batter failures, have occurred. The pit has an extensive array of
sensing equipment providing real time monitoring of pit wall stability. Mining practices
include standoff periods after blasting against a high wall and installation of wall
reinforcement in places. Back analysis of these failures informs future pit slope design
parameters for pit optimization and design.
1.5.2
The Telfer underground consists of the Telfer Sub-level Cave (SLC) and selective M Reef
operations. The Western Flanks is yet to be mined. The deposits are beneath the Main
Dome open pit and previously known as Telfer Deeps
The Telfer SLC is being mined using the sub-level cave method. SLC involves the
development of a series of parallel cross-cuts through the orebody in a regular geometrical
4
1.6
Telfer is a relatively large (total disturbance more than 4,000ha) and complex operation, but
is not confronted by environmental or community challenges likely to significantly constrain
current and future operations. This reflects its remote, desert location and an absence of
significant biodiversity and conservation issues, together with a proven history of
responsible environmental management. Sound relationships have been developed with
the indigenous traditional landowners (Martu), who hold one of the largest Native Title
Determinations in Australia over Telfer and its associated tenements.
Statutory environmental approvals are obtained and environmental performance is reported
to regulators through standard protocols for assessment of monitoring results. Compliance
is supported by the ongoing implementation of environmental management plans to
manage key risks.
A closure plan was developed in 2010 for Telfer and is scheduled to be updated in 2014.
Agreements were in place with the Martu people in respect of Telfer for the purposes of the
Telfer expansion project (2002-2005). There are current negotiations underway to seek to
put in place a comprehensive agreement to support future operations at Telfer.
1.8
Telfer actual production and operating costs for FY 2013 are shown in Table 1.4. The
Newcrest financial year closes on 30 June each year.
Table 1.4
Unit
FY13 Actual
Gold Production
koz
525
Copper Production
kt
A$M
850
A$M
-198
A$M
60
Royalty
A$M
29
Depreciation
A$/oz
389
26
FY2014 cost and capital guidance for Telfer, as released 12 August 2013, is shown in Table
1.5.
Table 1.5
Unit
1
FY14 Guidance
A$M
490-540
A$M
10-11
A$M
20-25
Sustaining capital
A$M
60-70
A$M
11-17
A$M
590-660
A$M
20-25
Sustaining Capital
A$M
60-70
A$M
A$M
80-90
Costs assume AUD:USD 0.96, copper price US$3.30/lb, silver price US$22.0/oz
2
Duplicated above under All-in sustaining costs and under Capital expenditure
1.9
Conclusions
Telfer Gold Mine is an established operation with a long history to support development of
plans to exploit the available Mineral Resources.
Factors that may have a material impact on the Telfer Gold Mine include those discussed in
the risks section of Newcrests annual operating and performance review which forms part
of Newcrests Full Year Financial Results for the year ended 30 June 2013, which can be
found on its website at www.newcrest.com.au and at www.sedar.com.
1.10 Recommendations
Telfer is an established mining operation with Mineral Reserves sufficient for an extended
mine life. In view of the nature of Telfer's mining operations and the substantial Mineral
Reserve inventory, no recommendations are included.
INTRODUCTION
2.1
This Technical Report (the Report) on the Telfer Property (Telfer) in the State of Western
Australia, Australia has been prepared by Newcrest Mining Limited (Newcrest) of
Melbourne Australia, as an update in response to material change in the Telfer Mineral
Resource and Mineral Reserve.
The Report was prepared in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43101 (NI 43-101), "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects", of the Canadian Securities
Administrators (CSA) for lodgement on CSA's "System for Electronic Document Analysis
and Retrieval" (SEDAR).
2.2
Report Authors
The overall Report was assembled by Mr Kevin Gleeson under the direction of the Qualified
Person (QP) Colin Moorhead, with contributions from other Newcrest employees. A listing
of details of the authors of the Report, together with those who assisted and sections for
which they are responsible or to which they contributed is contained in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1
Qualified
Person
Employer
Independent
of Newcrest
Date of
Last Site
Visit
Professional
Designation
Sections of
Report
Qualified Persons responsible for the preparation and signing of this Technical Report
C Moorhead
Executive General
Manager Minerals
K Gleeson
Head of Mineral
Resource
Management
L Bowyer
Manager
Tenure
Land
Newcrest
Mining Limited
No
N/A
P Griffin
Head of Processing
Operations
Newcrest
Mining Limited
No
Aug 2013
MAusIMM
13, 17
Newcrest
Mining Limited
No
Site
based
MAusIMM
14
Newcrest
Mining Limited
No
Dec 2013
MAusIMM
15, 16
Newcrest
Mining Limited
No
FAusIMM (CP)
J Biggam
Mineral Resource
Manager-Telfer
R Secis
Manager-Telfer
Mine Planning
All Sections
Compilation
of Report
A de Sousa
Newcrest
Mining Limited
No
Sept
2011
NA
19
Blair Sands
Newcrest
Mining Limited
No
N/A
20
K Kerr
General ManagerCommercial
and
Planning
Newcrest
Mining Limited
No
July 2011
CA (Chartered
Accountant)
21,22
Mr Colin Moorhead was employed at Telfer between 1991 and 1997 and has visited the
Telfer site on numerous occasions in his current role including several occasions during
2013 at which time he inspected both underground and surface aspects of the mining
operations in addition to the processing and infrastructure facilities. Mr Moorhead is
currently an employee of Newcrest and accepts Qualified Person responsibility for the
Report. Mr Moorhead last visited the Telfer operations in January 2014. Mr Kevin Gleeson
and Mr Paul Griffin are employees of Newcrest who visit Telfer to review relevant aspects of
the operation. Mr James Biggam is an employee of Newcrest and has been appointed as
the Competent Person for reporting Telfer Mineral Resources under the JORC Code1. Mr
Ron Secis is an employee of Newcrest and has been appointed as the Competent Person
for reporting Telfer Ore Reserves under the JORC Code 1.
This Report is based on internal information (listed in Section 27), site visits undertaken by
the Qualified Person, and discussions with other Newcrest personnel.
This Report is effective as of 31 December 2013.
2.3
Throughout this Report, measurements are shown in metric units and currency in Australian
dollars unless otherwise stated. Table 2.2 includes key terms used and their abbreviations.
Table 2.2
Abbreviation
Abbreviation
Unit/Term
AHD
NSR
AAS
NAF
Non-Acid Forming
BWI
Cu
Copper
PC
Panel Caves
Cubic metres
Percent
CN
Cyanide
pa
Per annum
DWi
Drop Weight
/oz
EA
Environmental Assessment
/lb
ELs
Exploration Licenses
/t
Per tonne
Au
Gold
ICP-OES
g/t
Grams /t
PAF
g/t Au
Grams /t of gold
lb
Pound (avdp)
HGPR
PFS
Prefeasibility study
ICP
Inductively-Coupled Plasma
QAQC
Fe
Iron
RPD
kg
Kilogram(s)
RWi
km
Kilometre(s)
NPV
koz
Kilo ounce
SAG
Semi-autogenous grinding
ktpa
km
kWh/t
Unit/Term
Square kilometres
Square metres
Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, The JORC Code 2012,
effective 1 December 2013, prepared by the Joint Ore Reserves Committee of the Australasian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals Council of Australia (JORC).
Abbreviation
Abbreviation
Unit/Term
Lead
SLC
Sub-Level Caving
Litre
Sulphur
Metre(s)
Tonne(s)
Mt
Million tonnes
TJ
Terra Joule(s)
Mtpa
TSF
MW
Megawatts
t/m
mm
Millimetres
Tungsten
Moz
WO3
Tungsten trioxide
WSMD
MLs
10
Unit/Term
Pb
Mining Leases
Mo
Molybdenum
wmt
mRL
Zn
Zinc
The Qualified Persons relied, in respect of legal and environmental aspects, upon the work
of certain Experts listed below. To the extent permitted under NI 43-101, the Qualified
Persons disclaim responsibility for these sections of the Report.
The following disclosure is made in respect of each of these Experts:
Ms L Bowyer, Manager Land Tenure, Newcrest:
Report, opinion or statement relied upon: Information on mineral tenure and status,
title issues, royalty obligations, etc.
11
4.1
Property Location
The 100% owned Telfer Gold Mine is located in the Great Sandy Desert in the Paterson
Province of Western Australia, approximately 450km east-southeast of Port Hedland. The
project site is 1310km by air and 1900km by road from Perth and falls within the boundaries
of the East Pilbara Shire, an area covering 386,000km2. The project is located at 2142'44"
S latitude, 12212'25" E longitude. The location of the project is illustrated in Figure 4.1.
Figure 4.1
12
4.2
Land Tenure
Newcrest currently has tenure over the mine site through a series of mining leases,
exploration licenses, general purpose leases and miscellaneous licenses that cover all the
infrastructure in the immediate vicinity of the mine site, including the open pit and
underground mining areas, village, plant site, power station and bore fields. All the mining
leases on which development for the project will take place were granted before 1994. The
extensions to the bore fields are located on miscellaneous licenses granted more recently.
Currently held leases at 31 December 2013 consist of 34 granted mining leases, 17 granted
exploration licenses and 18 granted prospecting licenses. Newcrest also has 22 mining
lease applications and 5 exploration license applications in progress. Total tenement area is
approximately 1,696 km2. Tables 4.1 and 4.2 summarize the details of each of the leases
and the licenses held.
Table 4.1
Lease
13
Lease
Status
Grant Date
Expiry Date
Area
2
(km )
E45/975
E - Exploration License
Granted
10/05/1990
9/05/1998
8.30
E45/1070
E - Exploration License
Granted
15/08/1991
14/08/1996
4.67
E45/1168
E - Exploration License
Granted
6/05/1992
5/05/1999
25.20
E45/1705
E - Exploration License
Granted
13/08/1996
12/08/2001
5.60
E45/1957
E - Exploration License
Granted
24/08/1998
23/08/2003
2.80
E45/2448
E - Exploration License
Granted
11/10/2006
10/10/2013
81.20
E45/2727
E - Exploration License
Granted
12/07/2010
11/07/2015
22.40
E45/2930
E - Exploration License
Granted
4/07/2008
3/07/2018
2.80
E45/2931
E - Exploration License
Granted
4/07/2008
3/07/2018
5.60
E45/2932
E - Exploration License
Granted
4/07/2008
3/07/2018
134.40
E45/2962
E - Exploration License
Granted
6/01/2009
5/01/2014
53.20
E45/2963
E - Exploration License
Granted
19/01/2009
18/01/2014
128.80
E45/3100
E - Exploration License
Granted
9/06/2009
8/06/2014
98.00
E45/3254
E - Exploration License
Granted
9/06/2009
8/06/2014
89.60
E45/3255
E - Exploration License
Granted
9/06/2009
8/06/2014
2.80
E45/3261
E - Exploration License
Granted
27/05/2009
26/05/2014
64.40
E45/3384
E - Exploration License
Granted
8/02/2011
7/02/2016
E45/3425
E - Exploration License
Application
103.60
E45/3447
E - Exploration License
Application
103.60
G45/1
Granted
18/12/1982
17/12/2024
E45/4112
E - Exploration License
Application
47.60
E45/4302
E - Exploration License
Application
16.80
E45/4303
E - Exploration License
Application
58.80
G45/2
Granted
18/12/1982
17/12/2024
2.00
G45/3
Granted
18/12/1982
17/12/2024
2.00
G45/4
Granted
18/12/1982
17/12/2024
1.00
L45/3
L - Miscellaneous License
Granted
12/01/1983
17/12/2024
1.00
L45/68
L - Miscellaneous License
Granted
20/12/1991
19/12/2016
0.04
L45/69
L - Miscellaneous License
Granted
20/12/1991
19/12/2016
0.12
L45/73
L - Miscellaneous License
Granted
24/07/1992
23/07/2017
0.13
L45/79
L - Miscellaneous License
Granted
19/08/1994
18/08/2014
0.14
5.60
2.00
Lease
14
Lease Type
Lease
Status
Grant Date
Expiry Date
Area
2
(km )
L45/80
L - Miscellaneous License
Granted
19/08/1994
18/08/2014
L45/99
L - Miscellaneous License
Granted
23/08/2000
22/08/2021
0.03
0.23
L45/100
L - Miscellaneous License
Granted
28/07/2000
27/07/2021
18.91
L45/101
L - Miscellaneous License
Granted
20/07/2001
19/07/2022
13.15
L45/104
L - Miscellaneous License
Granted
19/02/2001
18/02/2022
0.59
L45/106
L - Miscellaneous License
Granted
15/06/2001
14/06/2022
45.45
L45/107
L - Miscellaneous License
Granted
15/06/2001
14/06/2022
25.00
L45/110
L - Miscellaneous License
Granted
23/10/2003
22/10/2024
66.11
L45/139
L - Miscellaneous License
Granted
19/08/2004
18/08/2025
2.43
L45/165
L - Miscellaneous License
Granted
20/03/2008
19/03/2029
1.25
M45/6
M - Mining Lease
Granted
18/12/1982
17/12/2024
10.00
M45/7
M - Mining Lease
Granted
18/12/1982
17/12/2024
10.00
M45/8
M - Mining Lease
Granted
18/12/1982
17/12/2024
10.00
M45/9
M - Mining Lease
Granted
18/12/1982
17/12/2024
4.50
M45/10
M - Mining Lease
Granted
18/12/1982
17/12/2024
10.00
M45/11
M - Mining Lease
Granted
18/12/1982
17/12/2024
10.00
M45/33
M - Mining Lease
Granted
22/08/1984
21/08/2026
10.00
M45/203
M - Mining Lease
Granted
4/02/1986
3/02/2028
9.99
M45/204
M - Mining Lease
Granted
4/02/1986
3/02/2028
9.99
M45/205
M - Mining Lease
Granted
4/02/1986
3/02/2028
10.00
M45/206
M - Mining Lease
Granted
4/02/1986
3/02/2028
10.00
M45/207
M - Mining Lease
Granted
4/02/1986
3/02/2028
10.00
M45/208
M - Mining Lease
Granted
4/02/1986
3/02/2028
10.00
M45/209
M - Mining Lease
Granted
4/02/1986
3/02/2028
10.00
M45/210
M - Mining Lease
Granted
4/02/1986
3/02/2028
7.50
M45/211
M - Mining Lease
Granted
4/02/1986
3/02/2028
10.00
M45/247
M - Mining Lease
Granted
19/05/1987
18/05/2029
9.00
M45/248
M - Mining Lease
Granted
19/05/1987
18/05/2029
6.00
M45/249
M - Mining Lease
Granted
5/06/1987
4/06/2029
9.48
M45/364
M - Mining Lease
Granted
19/05/1988
18/05/2030
5.26
M45/399
M - Mining Lease
Granted
17/01/1989
16/01/2031
10.00
M45/400
M - Mining Lease
Granted
17/01/1989
16/01/2031
10.00
M45/532
M - Mining Lease
Granted
4/06/1992
3/06/2034
10.00
M45/533
M - Mining Lease
Granted
4/06/1992
3/06/2034
10.00
M45/576
M - Mining Lease
Granted
3/06/1993
2/06/2014
9.96
M45/580
M - Mining Lease
Granted
10/08/1993
9/08/2014
10.00
M45/581
M - Mining Lease
Granted
10/08/1993
9/08/2014
10.00
M45/612
M - Mining Lease
Granted
26/07/1994
25/07/2015
4.37
M45/620
M - Mining Lease
Granted
23/11/1994
22/11/2015
9.99
M45/621
M - Mining Lease
Granted
23/11/1994
22/11/2015
7.60
M45/622
M - Mining Lease
Granted
23/11/1994
22/11/2015
7.40
M45/631
M - Mining Lease
Granted
23/11/1994
22/11/2015
9.85
M45/632
M - Mining Lease
Granted
23/11/1994
22/11/2015
9.41
M45/633
M - Mining Lease
Granted
23/11/1994
22/11/2015
6.31
M45/709
M - Mining Lease
Application
9.50
M45/710
M - Mining Lease
Application
9.35
Lease
Lease Type
Lease
Status
Grant Date
Expiry Date
M45/720
M - Mining Lease
Application
10.00
M45/721
M - Mining Lease
Application
9.99
M45/722
M - Mining Lease
Application
9.93
M45/737
M - Mining Lease
Application
0.06
M45/738
M - Mining Lease
Application
2.55
M45/739
M - Mining Lease
Application
2.07
M45/763
M - Mining Lease
Application
10.00
M45/764
M - Mining Lease
Application
9.98
M45/765
M - Mining Lease
Application
9.98
M45/772
M - Mining Lease
Application
4.65
M45/775
M - Mining Lease
Application
6.49
M45/835
M - Mining Lease
Application
8.73
M45/858
M - Mining Lease
Application
6.25
M45/859
M - Mining Lease
Application
0.53
M45/860
M - Mining Lease
Application
7.72
M45/861
M - Mining Lease
Application
7.90
M45/862
M - Mining Lease
Application
0.90
M45/920
M - Mining Lease
Application
0.50
M45/931
M - Mining Lease
Application
0.80
M45/994
M - Mining Lease
Application
1.22
P45/2596
P - Prospecting License
Granted
16/01/2009
15/01/2017
0.17
P45/2597
P - Prospecting License
Granted
16/01/2009
15/01/2017
0.51
P45/2681
P - Prospecting License
Granted
30/01/2009
29/01/2017
0.07
P45/2698
P - Prospecting License
Granted
19/06/2009
18/06/2017
0.46
P45/2699
P - Prospecting License
Granted
19/06/2009
18/06/2017
1.82
P45/2848
P - Prospecting License
Granted
7/08/2013
6/08/2017
0.24
P45/2849
P - Prospecting License
Granted
7/08/2013
6/08/2017
0.28
P45/2850
P - Prospecting License
Granted
7/08/2013
6/08/2017
0.19
P45/2851
P - Prospecting License
Granted
7/08/2013
6/08/2017
0.38
P45/2852
P - Prospecting License
Granted
7/08/2013
6/08/2017
1.93
P45/2853
P - Prospecting License
Granted
7/08/2013
6/08/2017
1.91
P45/2854
P - Prospecting License
Granted
7/08/2013
6/08/2017
1.96
P45/2855
P - Prospecting License
Granted
7/08/2013
6/08/2017
0.08
P45/2856
P - Prospecting License
Granted
7/08/2013
6/08/2017
0.04
P45/2857
P - Prospecting License
Granted
7/08/2013
6/08/2017
0.11
P45/2858
P - Prospecting License
Granted
7/08/2013
6/08/2017
0.11
P45/2859
P - Prospecting License
Granted
7/08/2013
6/08/2017
0.29
P45/2860
P - Prospecting License
Application
1.83
P45/2861
P - Prospecting License
Granted
7/08/2013
6/08/2017
1.02
Total
1,696.44
Total Granted
1,235.12
Total Applications
15
Area
2
(km )
461.32
Table 4.2
Lease
16
Holder
E45/975
100
E45/1070
100
E45/1168
100
E45/1705
100
E45/1957
70
30
E45/2448
100
E45/2727
100
E45/2930
70
30
E45/2931
70
30
E45/2932
100
E45/2962
100
E45/2963
100
E45/3100
100
E45/3254
100
E45/3255
100
E45/3261
100
E45/3384
100
E45/3425
100
E45/3447
100
E45/4112
100
E45/4302
100
E45/4303
100
G45/1
70
30
G45/2
70
30
G45/3
70
30
G45/4
70
30
L45/3
70
30
L45/68
100
L45/69
70
30
L45/73
100
L45/79
100
L45/80
100
L45/99
100
L45/100
100
L45/101
100
L45/104
100
L45/106
100
L45/107
100
L45/110
100
L45/139
100
L45/165
100
M45/6
70
30
M45/7
70
30
M45/8
70
30
M45/9
70
30
M45/10
70
30
Lease
17
Holder
Holder
M45/11
70
30
M45/33
70
30
M45/203
70
30
M45/204
70
30
M45/205
70
30
M45/206
70
30
M45/207
70
30
M45/208
70
30
M45/209
70
30
M45/210
70
30
M45/211
70
30
M45/247
70
30
M45/248
70
30
M45/249
70
30
M45/364
70
30
M45/399
100
M45/400
100
M45/532
100
M45/533
100
M45/576
100
M45/580
100
M45/581
100
M45/612
100
M45/620
100
M45/621
100
M45/622
100
M45/631
100
M45/632
100
M45/633
100
M45/709
70
30
M45/710
70
30
M45/720
100
M45/721
100
M45/722
100
M45/737
100
M45/738
100
M45/739
100
M45/763
100
M45/764
100
M45/765
100
M45/772
70
30
M45/775
70
30
M45/835
100
M45/858
100
M45/859
100
M45/860
100
M45/861
100
Lease
Holder
Holder
M45/862
100
M45/920
100
M45/931
100
M45/994
70
30
P45/2596
70
30
P45/2597
70
30
P45/2681
100
P45/2698
100
P45/2699
100
P45/2848
100
P45/2849
100
P45/2850
100
P45/2851
100
P45/2852
100
P45/2853
100
P45/2854
100
P45/2855
100
P45/2856
100
P45/2857
100
P45/2858
100
P45/2859
100
P45/2860
100
P45/2861
100
4.3
4.3.1
Relevant Agreements
Westwin Option Agreement
Westwin Investments Pty Ltd granted Newcrest an option to purchase E45/2448 for $1M
and a 1.5% NSR royalty. An option payment of $20,000 per year is payable. The option is
due to expire in November 2014. This agreement does not relate to producing tenements.
4.3.2
Acebell Holdings Pty Ltd granted Newcrest an option to purchase E45/2727 for $500,000
and a 1.5% NSR royalty. Option payments of $10,000 on satisfaction of the conditions
precedent, $15,000 one year thereafter and $20,000 the following year are payable. The
option is due to expire in March 2014 and negotiations are continuing to extend this option
agreement. This agreement does not relate to producing tenements.
4.3.3
Cape Lambert Iron Ore Ltd agreed to withdraw a prior mining tenement application in favour
of an application by Newcrest Operations Limited (E45/3100). Consideration for
withdrawing the application is an annual exploration payment of $10,000 and a royalty of
1.5% NSR in the event of mineral production from the tenement area. This agreement does
not relate to producing tenements.
18
4.3.4
Martu Agreements
Agreements were in place with the holders of native title in respect of Telfer for the
purposes of the Telfer expansion project (2002-2005). There are current negotiations with
the holders of native title to seek to put in place a comprehensive agreement to support
future operations at Telfer.
4.4
4.4.1
Royalties Payable
Mount Isa Mines Limited
The royalty is in favour of Mount Isa Mines Limited. In respect of gold, it is $10/oz and in
respect of minerals (other than gold) it is 2% of the NSR. This agreement does not relate to
producing tenements.
4.4.2
The royalty is in favour of Minerals Commodities Limited. In respect of gold it is $10/oz and
in respect of minerals (other than gold) it is 1.5% of the NSR. This agreement does not
relate to producing tenements.
4.5
Environmental Liabilities
The Department of Mines & Petroleum in Western Australia holds a total of $33,894,900 as
unconditional performance bonds.
19
5.1
Accessibility
5.1.1
Road
Road access to the Telfer site consists of public roads vested in Main Roads Western
Australia and the Shire of East Pilbara along with a section of private roadway owned and
maintained by the Telfer Mining Operations. Road transport to and from Telfer generally
focuses on the approximately 450km route to Port Hedland for heavy haulage of coppergold concentrates and import of consumables to the mine site.
A secondary route is available to the south through Newman and ultimately Perth.
5.1.2
Air Strip
Telfer is located approximately 1,300km from Perth via air travel and the site is serviced by
a Newcrest-owned dedicated all-weather air strip capable of handling small to medium
sized aircraft. The site is a fly-in fly-out (FIFO) operation serviced by personnel living in
Perth and other centres with regular flights as the primary means of access to the site. The
airstrip also facilitates urgent supply access for mission critical items and emergency
recovery capabilities via the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
5.2
Climate
The climate of the region is characterized by hot summers (January average daily
temperatures exceed 40C) and warm winters (July average daily temperatures exceed
10C). Rainfall is strongly seasonal and occurs between December and March and is
usually associated with remnant cyclones and thunderstorm activity. Average annual rainfall
is 366mm and average annual evaporation is 4160 mm.
5.3
Local Resources
The remote Telfer mine site is located in a sparsely populated area at the edge of the Great
Sandy Desert. Seasonal conditions vary between arid and semi-arid, with vegetation cover
being limited to sparse drought-tolerant low ground cover. These environmental conditions
essentially offer little value to the requirements of an active mine site, which in turn
necessitates the importation of the vast majority of materials and personnel to operate the
site.
5.4
5.4.1
Infrastructure
Water Supply
Telfer mine site relies on abstraction of groundwater from a series of proximately located
bores for both raw and potable water requirements. Current abstraction rates average
approximately 57Ml/d from an installed total bore field peak capacity of 80Ml/d.
Non-potable applications of the abstracted water include the mine processing circuits, dust
suppression, wash down and fire fighting. Treated potable water is supplied to the camp
facilities and strategically located personnel access points throughout the mining project.
20
5.4.2
Electricity Generation
There are currently two permanent power stations at Telfer. The Primary Power Station
(PPS) comprises three GE LM6000 gas turbines and the Secondary Power Station (SPS)
comprises eight diesel generators. The PPS was originally designed to operate in an N+1
configuration, that is, two duty and one standby. As the power demand has increased since
commissioning of the PPS, there are currently 12 approximately 1MW Aggreko rental gas
engines supplementing the LM6000s. The SPS is available as a backup.
The rated output of each gas turbine in normal mode is 43MW, but can be operated at
47MW in SPRINT mode. This provides a maximum rating of installed permanent power
generation at Telfer of approximately150MW.
5.4.3
Gas Supply
The volume of feed gas required to supply the electrical generation gas turbine plant was
impractical to transport to site by road or rail. Therefore, a dedicated, purpose built 450km
natural gas pipeline was installed to feed natural gas from Port Hedland to the Telfer site.
Newcrest has contracted pipeline capacity of 26TJ/day.
The pipeline is operated by APA Group for sole supply of gas to the Telfer and Nifty mines.
Gas is supplied under contract by Santos and Apache Energy. The contract is valid for
supply to December 2019.
5.4.4
Port Facilities
Copper-gold concentrate produced from the Telfer site is exported to customers, mainly in
East Asia, via the Port Hedland harbour facilities. The substantial municipal port facilities at
Port Hedland cater for the export of various mineral types from around the Pilbara region.
Telfer mineral concentrates are transferred from road transportation to storage and onto
ship via a dedicated facility owned by the Port Hedland Port Authority.
5.4.5
Mining Camp
Telfer was historically operated as a live-in township of dedicated mine workers and support
staff prior to the suspension of operations in 2000. Today the site is designated as a FIFO
operation with a work force of approximately 1,100 full time equivalent (FTE) staff and
contractors. The accommodation facilities on site comprise a total of 1,733 rooms.
Numerous rosters are in place for these personnel.
The original permanent camp was converted to provide transient accommodation under the
FIFO arrangements.
5.4.6
Auxiliary Infrastructure
Operation of a large scale mine in a remote locality requires the site to be largely selfsufficient. Specific items of infrastructure are required to supply, maintain and service the
requirements of machinery and personnel. Therefore, numerous items of significant
infrastructure are located and maintained as part of the ongoing Telfer mining operations.
Items include fuel storage, laboratory, workshops, stores buildings, lay-down areas, effluent
disposal systems and administration offices.
21
HISTORY
6.1
Discovery
From the recognition of gold-bearing gossans in 1971 and the commencement of mining
activities in 1977 up to the suspension of operations in 2000, Telfer Gold Mine produced
almost 6Moz of gold.
Five million ounces of gold were produced from the oxidized and leached cap of a large
gold-copper system using open pit mining methods, and almost 1Moz came from sulphide
ore produced using underground mining methods to extract high grade mineralization. Prior
to suspension of operations in late 2000, the annual gold production from both the open pit
and underground operations was approximately 300koz.
6.2.2
Oxide Mining
An intensive exploration and resource drilling program was undertaken by Newmont Pty Ltd
from 1972 to 1975. This program defined an open pit reserve of 3.8Mt @ 9.6 g/t Au
containing in excess of 1Moz of contained gold (Turner, 1982) mainly comprising oxide ore
from the Middle Vale Reef (MVR).
In 1975, BHP Gold bought into the project with 30% ownership as a consequence of the
foreign ownership legislation introduced by the Australian Federal Government at the time.
Newmont and BHP Gold subsequently merged their Australian assets to form Newcrest
Mining Limited in 1990.
Mining commenced during 1975 at Main Dome and reached full production of 0.5 Mtpa in
1977. Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves were maintained at 2Moz and 1Moz of
contained gold respectively in the early part of Telfer's mine life (Chamberlain, 1990).
Initially, ore processing was by milling, cyanidation and Merrill-Crowe type gold recovery.
During the 1980s, the potential was recognized for a large, low grade oxide resource in
Main Dome and to the northwest in West Dome. This resulted in the introduction of a mill
expansion in 1986 to increase crushing and grinding capacity, including conversion from
Merrill-Crowe type gold recovery to a carbon in leach (CIL) circuit.
Further extensive metallurgical testwork led to the establishment of a dump leach operation
which commenced in 1988, with an initial processing rate of 4Mtpa. Dump leach feed cut-off
22
grades were gradually lowered during the 1990s to allow an increase to the mill feed ore
head grade. By the late 1990s, Telfer was treating:
2.5Mtpa of high grade oxide ore through the mill and CIL circuit
6.2.3
Prior to 2000, open pit mining had been largely confined to the production of oxide ore. The
majority of the open pit mining focused on areas with cyanide soluble copper levels of less
than 400ppm to provide ore amenable to conventional cyanide leach processing and dump
leaching.
However, during 2000, open pit production was becoming constrained by a combination of
increasing stockwork sulphide mineralization and high cyanide soluble copper material,
neither of which could be economically processed through the existing treatment plant or
dump leach operation.
The increase in open pit copper grades in the feed to CIL and dump leach impacted
adversely on cyanide costs, copper and cyanide concentrations in tailings and gold bullion
quality. A Sulphidization, Acidification, Recovery, Treatment (SART) facility was installed
and commissioned shortly before operations were suspended in late 2000. The SART plant
was introduced for copper and cyanide recovery from the leach liquors from the plant
resulting in improvement of both treatment economics and the environmental quality of the
plant tailings.
6.2.5
The I30 quartz reef was discovered in 1991 using surface diamond drilling as part of an
exploration program to test for potential gold and copper mineralization within the Main
Dome at 1000m below surface (mbs). A mining feasibility study was completed in 1995
which focused on the extraction of the I30 quartz reef using narrow vein reef mining
methods. Based upon the recommendations from this study and Board approval, the I30
Decline access was subsequently established and reached the M50 Reef in July 1997.
The I30 Decline was halted in 1997 based on the results of the Telfer Gold Mine Strategic
Review which identified a series of mining risks not previously identified in the earlier
feasibility study. These risks related to insufficient drilling of the eastern limb of the I30
quartz reef and also the poor ground conditions being experienced in the MVR reef.
23
A conceptual study was established in early 1998 to review the mining potential of the I30
Quartz Reef and associated high grade reefs. This study was designated the I Series
Project (ISP). The ISP Prefeasibility Study defined the existence of gold and copper
mineralization on the eastern limb of the I30 Quartz Reef as well as an additional eight
hanging wall reefs and three footwall reefs. Underground mining studies defined cut and fill
and room and pillar on the western flank of the I30 Quartz Reef, up-hole retreat mining
method in the vertical limb of the I30 Quartz Reef and the Telfer M-Reef, long hole stoping
method on the moderate dipping I30 Quartz Reef east flank mineralization. Evaluation of
underground haulage options identified truck haulage via a decline as the most viable
option for the reserve of 1Mt @ 15.6 g/t Au and 2.6% Cu. Evaluation of the ore treatment
options recommended modification of the flotation circuit of the existing sulphide treatment
plant to accommodate the increased underground reserve.
The resource definition activities from the ISP Prefeasibility Study identified the potential for
a large tonnage lower gold and copper grade stockwork surrounding the I30 Quartz Reef.
This material was referred to as the Helmsman conceptual resource and formed the basis
of the underground Telfer resource assessed in the Feasibility Study commissioned in 2000
and completed in September 2002. This feasibility study designs and recommendations
were adopted and formed the basis for the modern operations.
6.3
Historic Mineral Resources are not reported here as are available in Newcrest annual
reports.
6.4
Summary
A summary of the project history through to the completion of the current feasibility study
and commencement of current operations is shown in Table 6.1.
24
Table 6.1
Date
25
Event
1971
1975
1977
1986
1988
1989
1990
1991
1994
1995
1995
Initial Feasibility Study on the I30 Quartz Reef - start of the I30 decline development
July 1997
1998
2000
2000
Aug 2000
Feasibility Study stage 1 approved for the Telfer Open Pit and Telfer Deeps
Apr 2001
Aug 2001
Jul 2001
Sep 2002
Feb 2005
26
The Yeneena Basin covers an area of approximately 24,000km2 and consists of a middle to
upper Proterozoic succession of calcareous and argillaceous siltstones, sandstones and
carbonate sediments of the Yeneena Supergroup Figure 7.2. The Yeneena Basin
unconformably overlies the Pilbara Craton and the Manganese Subgroup of the Bangemall
Basin on its western boundary and the Rudall Complex Inlier on a south-eastern boundary.
The Yeneena Basin is unconformably overlain by the Karara Basin to the southeast, by the
Savory Basin to the southwest, by unconformable Phanerozoic sediments of the Canning
Basin along the northern and eastern boundaries and the Officer Basin along the southeastern boundary.
Figure 7.2
The interference of these fold patterns in the Lamil Group rocks formed doubly plunging
domal structures characteristic of the Telfer district. Domes vary from tight (e.g. Tims Dome)
to open and rounded (e.g. Telfer and 17 Mile Hill Domes).
The Paterson Province contains two suites of Neoproterozoic granitic intrusions that have a
close spatial and possibly genetic relationship to mineralization in the Telfer district.
Intrusions are subdivided into two granite trends, the Mount Crofton to Minyari Granite
trend, and the Wilki to O'Callaghans Granite trend, based upon petrographic and major
element geochemical studies. These intrusions were emplaced episodically over a
prolonged period ranging from approximately 600 to 650 million years.
Figure 7.3
Mineral Resources reported for the Telfer mining centre consist of:
28
open pit stockwork and reef mineralization in Telfer Main Dome and West Dome;
stockwork and reef mineralization mined underground in the sub-level cave (SLC)
mining operation;
stockwork mineralization in the vertical stockwork corridor (VSC) below the SLC;
Figure 7.4
7.1
7.1.1
Telfer
Geology
Gold and copper mineralization at Telfer consists of stratiform reefs and stockworks hosted
by sedimentary rocks of the Malu Formation of the Lamil Group. The Lamil Group
comprises relatively weakly deformed and metamorphosed Proterozoic sediment units
northeast of the Camel-Tabletop Fault. The important attributes of the Lamil Group are the
presence of abundant carbonate units, and weakly developed penetrative deformation.
Two very different aged granitoid suites are present in the Telfer region.
29
The older Tabletop Suite intrudes the Tabletop Terrane (inferred basement to the Lamil
Group) on the southeast of Telfer. The suite is composed of tonalities and leucogranites
which are generally non to weakly magnetic and ilmenite bearing.
The Telfer granitoid suite consists of the strongly magnetic Crofton granites and the weakly
to nonmagnetic Minyari granitoids. The Crofton granites occur mainly in a northeast corridor
which corresponds to a major geological discontinuity. Similarly, Minyari granitoids occur
mainly in a northwest corridor which also corresponds to a major geological discontinuity.
The O'Callaghans granite to the south of Telfer is strongly altered and is not readily grouped
with either of the other suites. The O'Callaghans granite is directly associated with complex
gneiss and skarn zones, including magnetite skarns with a strong aeromagnetic expression.
It is the only granite in the region known to be associated with extensive hydrothermal
alteration systems and metal anomalies (W-Cu-Bi-Mo-Sn-Pb-Zn).
Stratigraphy
The Telfer area stratigraphy has been divided into five formations that are subdivided into
members (Figure 7.5).
Figure 7.5
The Telfer Formation is regarded as a transitional formation between the arenaceous Malu
Formation and carbonate-rich Puntapunta Formation and consists of a sequence of
interbedded argillites and arenites. The Telfer Formation is subdivided informally at Telfer
into:
30
Camp Sandstone;
The Malu Formation conformably overlies the Isdell Formation and consists of a massive to
thickly bedded, metamorphosed, fine to medium grained quartzite and quartz sandstone
with occasional thin interbeds of siltstone and mudstone. This is the host for mineralization
in the M-Reefs and stockwork domains and is subdivided into:
Rim Sandstone.
Median Sandstone.
Footwall Sandstone which hosts extensive footwall stockwork and disseminated pyrite
mineralization.
Upper Malu Quartzite Member laminated siltstones preferentially host the M-Reefs
which include the M10, M12, M20, M28, M30, M35, M40, M45, M50, M55 and M60
Reefs;
Middle Malu Member including Lower Limey Unit and I30 Reef;
The Isdell Formation is the stratigraphically lowest formation in the north-eastern zone of
the Yeneena Basin and is a poorly sorted, mixed carbonate and clastic sequence. The
formation comprises various types of dolomite ranging from fine grained, laminated to
clastic and stromatolitic varieties. To date this formation has not been intersected in the
deepest drilling at Telfer.
Structure
The topography at the Telfer mine site is dominated by two large scale asymmetric dome
structures with steep west dipping axial planes (Figure 7.6). Main Dome is located in the
southeast portion of the mine and is exposed over a strike distance of 3km north-south and
2km east-west before plunging under transported cover. West Dome forms the
topographical high in the northwest quadrant of the mine and has similar dimensions to
Main Dome. Both fold structures have shallow to moderately dipping western limbs and
moderate to steep dipping eastern limbs.
31
Figure 7.6
West shallow to moderate dipping fault systems, semi-parallel to the monoclineanticline fold structure;
East-west striking near vertical fracture set (Leader Hill vein set).
7.1.2
Mineralization
Mineral Resources reported for the Telfer mining centre consist of:
32
open pit stockwork and reef mineralization in Telfer Main Dome and West Dome;
stockwork and reef mineralization mined underground in the Telfer Underground SLC
mining operation;
Newcrest Mining - Telfer Property Report - 31 December 2013
Mineralization within the Telfer deposit is controlled by structure and lithology. Several
styles of mineralization were recognized, namely narrow high-grade reefs, pod-like
mineralized bodies, sheeted vein-sets and large areas of low grade stockwork
mineralization, with the latter forming the majority of the sulphide resource (Figure 7.7). The
primary mineralization was overprinted by surface weathering processes.
Figure 7.7
33
The primary controls on narrow vein reefs, stockwork veining and breccia formation are
listed below in order of importance:
stratigraphy;
Reef Mineralization
The highest concentration of gold and copper grades occurs within bedding sub-parallel
reef systems. In Main Dome a total of 21 reef structures were identified from drill hole data
or mapping of surface and underground exposures within the Open Pit Mineral Resource,
and include 10 E-Reefs within the Outer Siltstones, the MVR within the Middle Vale
Siltstone and the M10 to M50 series of reefs within the Malu Formation. The primary
characteristics of the reef systems are:
laterally extensive (greater than 1km) both along strike and dip;
variable dip varying from flat at the crest of Main Dome to about 40 on the eastern
flank of Main Dome;
found within the sheared zone with or without typical reef mineralogy being present. In
areas where a typical reef mineral assemblage is present (silica-dolomite-sulphide), gold
grades range between 43 g/t Au and 144 g/t Au.
M40 reef lies 250m stratigraphically below the M10 reef and 50m above the M50 reef and is
typically 0.2m to 0.6m in thickness. Gold grades vary from 5 g/t Au to 80 g/t Au, with an
average grade of 16 g/t Au. It is irregularly developed within a heavily dolomitized
sandstone/siltstone layer known as the Upper Limey Unit which has undergone strong
carbonate alteration.
M45 reef is typically 2m thick and forms either a sericite-pyrite shear plane or reef with
similar mineralogy to the middle unit of the M50 reef sequence. The structure was only
identified in the eastern flank of Main Dome and occurs 25m stratigraphically below the M40
and 25m above the M50 reef. Gold and copper grades are typically less than 10 g/t Au and
1% Cu respectively.
M50 reef occurs 300m stratigraphically below the M10 reef and is composed of three
visually distinguishable units. The upper unit is formed from black, fine to medium grained
carbonaceous siltstone with disseminated sulphides, fine white dolomite veins, and pyritechalcopyrite veins. The unit has a thickness from 0.1m to 0.4m with a true average
thickness of 0.2m. Gold grades range from 3 g/t Au in fresh rock to 6.4 g/t Au in oxidized
areas. The middle unit of the M50 reef is consists of typical reef mineral assemblages and
ranges from 0.1m to 2m in thickness. There is an abundance of primary chalcocite in this
reef, with highest concentrates around the Graben Fault, which cross cuts the M50 reef.
Gold grades range between 5 g/t Au and 94 g/t Au and average 34.6 g/t Au in fresh rock.
The lowest unit of the M50 reef system comprises a 0.2m to 0.5m thick calcareous
sandstone.
I30 Quartz Reef is a stratabound quartz-carbonate-sulphide vein that occurs approximately
900m to 1000m below surface at the contact of the Middle Malu Member and the Lower
Limey Unit (LLU). It contributes a significant proportion of the gold and copper in the Telfer
Deeps SLC Mineral Resource. Drilling delineated the I30 Quartz Reef over an area of 875m
(north-south) by 160m (east-west) in the southeast corner of Main Dome. The geometry of
the I30 Quartz Reef is controlled by the intersection of the I30 monocline fold structure, a
north-south trending reverse fault and a near vertical north-east trending fault corridor. The
quartz reef has a maximum true thickness of 10m in the hinge of the I30 Monocline, and
thins to a true thickness of 0.5m on the flanks of the fold structure. The I30 Quartz Reef
mineralization is characterized by a gangue of quartz, grey, white and pink dolomite, calcite
and rare siderite. The dominant sulphide minerals are pyrite and chalcopyrite.
Stockwork Mineralization
Stockwork mineralization is characterized by narrow, often discontinuous veins that
crosscut stratigraphy. Large domains of stockwork mineralization were defined in the open
pits and also within the Telfer Deeps and Vertical Stockwork Corridor Mineral Resources.
Stockwork mineralization is best developed in the axial zones of Main Dome and West
Dome and is discordant to lithological boundaries, although some stratigraphic units have
more abundant stockworks than others and vein intensity within stockwork can be greater
adjacent to reefs. Stockworks are laterally extensive, between 0.1km to 1.5km scale and
the geometry of the stockwork zones is related to structure and stratigraphy.
Stockwork mineralization can also include areas of breccia dominated by quartz, carbonate
and sulphides.
35
7.2
O'Callaghans
The O'Callaghans poly-metallic deposit is located approximately 10km south of the Telfer
Gold Mine.
7.2.1
Geology
The O'Callaghans deposit lies at the contact between the Proterozoic Puntapunta
Formation and the O'Callaghans granite. The Puntapunta Formation conformably lies
between the Wilki Formation and the Telfer Formation, and considered to be outer
carbonate shelf deposits consisting of well-bedded, clastic dolomite and limestone, with
lesser amounts of calcareous sandstone and siltstone. The O'Callaghans granite was
identified at around 350m below surface based on diamond drilling intercepts and
geophysical surveys. Drilling defined a zone of poly-metallic skarn mineralization up to 60 m
thick above the granite/limestone contact.
The O'Callaghans granite is variably altered and is not readily grouped with other regional
granitic suites. The O'Callaghans granite is directly associated with complex skarn zones,
including pyrite/pyrrhotite/magnetite skarns with a strong magnetic expression. It is the only
granite known to be associated with extensive hydrothermal alteration systems and metal
anomalies (W-Cu-Bi-Mo-Sn-Pb-Zn).
Folded Puntapunta Formation sedimentary rocks appear to be overprinted by variable
metamorphic alteration. Sulphide mineralization related to high temperature metasomatic
skarn formation is consistent with a rapid onset of amphibolite facies contact metamorphic
alteration of the host rocks (tremolite/hornblende + biotite). This forms an irregular
metamorphic contact aureole above the O'Callaghans granite stock and is a valuable visual
aid in recognizing onset and distribution of sulphide mineralization. These relationships are
shown schematically in Figure 7.8.
Figure 7.8
36
Mineralization
The O'Callaghans deposit is a polymetallic skarn deposit located at the contact between
limestone of the Puntapunta Formation and an intrusive granite. The main skarn is identified
as calc-silicate rock containing more than 10% sulphides generally surrounded by a halo of
calc-silicates with less than 10% sulphides.
Tungsten, copper, zinc and lead are considered potentially economically extractable.
However elevated levels of molybdenum and silver are also present. Tungsten-bearing
minerals include both scheelite and wolframite. Gold is not present in economically
significant amounts. Elevated levels of fluorine are also recorded. Metal zoning is identified
within the overall skarn with two areas of elevated zinc and lead broadly associated with a
tungsten mineral species change from scheelite to wolframite.
7.3
Camp Dome
Camp Dome is located 20km by road north of the Telfer mine site. Access is via the main
Telfer to Port Hedland road then northeast along the existing tracks.
7.3.1
Geology
The Camp Dome copper deposit is interpreted to be located in the Middle Malu Member to
Lower Malu Member of the Malu Formation folded into a composite dome structure in a
similar stratigraphic and structural setting as the deposits at the Telfer Gold Mine.
Camp Dome is hosted by Middle to Lower Malu Member of the Malu Formation estimated to
be in excess of 500m thick. The Lower Malu Member is a competent, thickly bedded (up to
10m) to faintly laminated, fine to medium grained siliceous turbidite quartz sandstone, with
minor interbedded siltstone and carbonate sandstone units. Dark, carbonaceous
siltstone/shale units occur towards the base and top of the member. The Lower Malu
Member is interpreted to have been deposited as a prograding turbidite fan, with the
presence of carbonaceous shale suggesting a deep marine environment.
Near surface alteration in the central Camp Dome area is characterized by strong pervasive
quartz and white mica, with or without iron oxides (after sulphides), with zones of intense
silicification associated with quartz veining. At depth, strong phyllic and potassic alteration
and contact metamorphic textures are recorded. Petrologic descriptions include alteration
assemblages of biotite, potassic feldspar, muscovite, carbonate (calcite, dolomite),
sulphides, tourmaline and rutile overprinting the sandstones and pelites.
Deep weathering is present over the Camp Dome area typically with complete oxidation to
80m to 100m below surface and partial oxidation noted up to 250m below surface. The
deep weathering of primary sulphides is interpreted to have resulted in the copperenrichment blanket at the oxidation interface.
The complex domal structure comprises 17 Mile Hill Dome and two subsidiary domes
(Camp Dome and Pajero Dome). Camp Dome is within a doubly plunging anticline forming
a large northwest trending open fold with similar characteristics to Telfer Dome.
37
7.3.2
Mineralization
The Camp Dome mineralization is a satellite copper-only deposit with quartz/sulphide veins
hosted in folded sedimentary rocks. Weathering of primary mineralization resulted in a
chalcocite-rich and associated secondary copper blanket at the oxidation boundary. No
significant gold grades were intersected in drill holes.
Mineralization at Camp Dome is interpreted to occur in two forms:
1.
Primary
mineralization
associated
with
high
sulphide
consisting
of
quartz/pyrite/pyrrhotite/chalcopyrite/scheelite veins, breccias and stockworks. The
main zone of primary mineralization occurs on the western limb of the axial position of
Camp Dome and dips at approximately 30 to the southeast along the strike of the
fold axis.
2.
Secondary supergene copper formed at the weathering boundary beneath a nearsurface leach horizon. The secondary copper mineralization was confirmed at depths
typically between 55m and 120m, although locally more widely distributed. Chalcocite
is the dominant secondary copper mineral, with minor malachite at the top of the
supergene profile. Subordinate chrysocolla and native copper was recorded. The top
of the supergene blanket is typically located at the base of strong oxidation, with
moderately oxidized rocks hosting the bulk of secondary copper mineralization.
The supergene zone extends approximately 1000m along the direction of the fold axis of
Camp Dome and approximately 750m normal to the axial plane. Thickness ranges from a
few metres up to 54m.
38
DEPOSIT TYPES
Mineral Resources reported for the Telfer mining centre consist of:
Open pit stockwork and reef mineralization in Telfer Main Dome and West Dome;
Stockwork and reef mineralization mined underground in the SLC operation and
selective reef mining;
Lode, vein and stockwork mineralization at Camp Dome and Telfer Satellites (a group
of deposits peripheral to the mine).
8.1
Telfer
Gold and copper mineralization at Telfer is hosted within stratiform reefs and stockwork
domains in Proterozoic metasediments. Mineralization is controlled by structure and
lithology with narrow high-grade stratiform reefs, pod-like mineralized bodies, sheeted veinsets and large areas of low-grade stockwork mineralization. The primary mineralization was
overprinted by surface weathering processes.
The sulphide mineralization is characterized by fresh sulphides, predominantly pyrite and
chalcopyrite. Primary gold mineralization is typically associated with pyrite/chalcopyrite
sulphides and quartz/dolomite gangue. There is a correlation between vein frequency and
gold grade.
The highest concentration of gold and copper occurs within bedding sub-parallel reef
systems. The primary characteristics of the reef systems are:
Laterally extensive (greater than 1km) both along strike and dip;
Variable dip varying from flat at the crest of Main Dome to about 40 on the eastern
flank of Main Dome;
8.2
O'Callaghans
The O'Callaghans deposit is a polymetallic skarn deposit located at the contact between
limestone of the Puntapunta Formation and an intrusive granite. The Main Skarn is
identified as calc-silicate rock containing more than 10% sulphides generally surrounded by
a halo of calc-silicates with less than 10% sulphides.
Tungsten, copper, zinc and lead are considered potentially economically extractable
however elevated molybdenum and silver are also present. Tungsten-bearing minerals
include both scheelite and wolframite. Gold is not present in economically significant
amounts. Elevated levels of fluorine are also recorded. Metal zoning was identified within
39
the overall skarn with two areas of elevated zinc and lead broadly associated with a
tungsten mineral species change from scheelite to wolframite.
8.3
Camp Dome
The Camp Dome mineralization is a copper-only deposit with quartz/sulphide veins hosted
in folded sedimentary rocks. Weathering of primary mineralization resulted in a chalcociterich and associated secondary copper blanket at the oxidation boundary. No significant gold
grades were intersected in drill holes.
40
EXPLORATION
9.1
Telfer
O'Callaghans
Geophysical exploration between 1972 and 1983 identified the presence of a granitoid in
the O'Callaghans area. A high resolution ground magnetics survey was carried out over
several airborne magnetic anomalies during 1984. Seven diamond drill holes were
completed in 1985 to test a discrete magnetic anomalies for possible skarn mineralization
associated with the granitoid. The drilling, together with deflation lag sampling and mapping,
confirmed the presence of a zoned system of poly-metallic skarn mineralization above the
granitoid.
A grid of reverse circulation drill holes during the 1980s and 1990s failed to intersect the
skarn mineralization, although one deep drill hole in 1987 to the northwest of the main skarn
intersected the granitoid contact. One diamond drill hole was drilled during 1991 that
intersected thin skarn mineralization.
41
Nineteen diamond drill holes were completed during 2008 to further test the extent of skarn
mineralization and to infill the grid to 200 m in the main mineralized area. During 2009 and
2010, 157 diamond drill holes were completed to infill the grid to 100m centres over the
main mineralization.
A Mineral Resource was first reported in 2009 and revised in 2010 and has not been
updated since.
9.3
Camp Dome
The 17 Mile Hill Dome adjacent to Camp Dome, originally pegged by Carr Boyd Minerals in
1973, was explored under a number of joint ventures. Supergene copper mineralization was
first intersected at Seventeen Mile Hill in the mid-1980s. Drilling through 1989 to 1992
indicated supergene copper mineralization however the absence of gold anomalism
resulted in the prospect being downgraded and no further work being undertaken before the
tenure was surrendered in 1998.
During April 2008, new high-resolution airborne magnetic data was collected over the
project, which delineated a magnetic target. Reverse circulation drilling in 2009 confirmed
the presence of a supergene copper blanket, returning anomalous copper grades
associated with chalcocite, malachite chalcopyrite and diamond drilling has intersected
sulphide lode mineralisation below weathering.
42
10
DRILLING
43
Cross Section 11300N through Main Dome (Open pit & UG)
Table 10.1
Pre 1998
Program
Type
Grade Control
RC
Resource Definition
Surface RC
and Exploration
Surface DDH
Underground DDH
Total
Number
60,559
4,280
227,977
3,253
77,048
613
52,851
241
418,434
8,146
Prefeasibility
Grade Control
RC
23,230
1,779
Resource Definition
Surface RC
48,126
341
and Exploration
Surface DDH
11,521
89
7,394
46
Underground DDH
Geotech
Surface DDH
Total
Feasibility Study Stage 1
Grade Control
RC
Resource Definition
Surface RC
and Exploration
Underground RC
Underground DDH
Total
Feasibility Study Stage 2
Geotech
Surface RC
Surface DDH
Underground DDH
Total
Grade Control
Geotech
RC
Surface DDH
Underground DDH
Surface RC
Underground DDH
Total
Figure 10.2
44
Metres
704
90,975
2,209
7,614
1,190
110,199
862
3,030
44
8,403
36
129,246
2,124
980
3,748
40
4,768
17
957
3550
2437
757
3274
343
20
6
5
19
10975
393
West Dome is covered by drill hole spacing of nominally 25m x 25m down to the base of the
Footwall Sandstone in the southern part of West Dome and to the base of the Outer
Siltstone in the northern part of West Dome. Outside of these areas the resource
development drilling spacing is highly variable but broadly spaced at 50m x 50m and 100m
x 100m. Additional exploration, resource definition and reverse circulation grade control
drilling from January 2003 to December 2013 are also included Table 10.2 which lists the
drilling available for West Dome for the 2013 Mineral Resource estimates.
Table 10.2
Pre 1998
Program
Type
Grade Control
RC
Resource Definition
Surface RC
and Exploration
Surface DDH
Total
Metres
Number
36,683
1,349
228,200
2,678
32,191
245
297,073
5,237
Prefeasibility
Grade Control
RC
30,521
1,821
Resource Definition
Surface RC
10,250
81
and Exploration
Surface DDH
6,458
34
Total
Feasibility Study Stage 1
Resource Definition
Surface RC
and Exploration
Geotech
Surface DDH
Resource
Definition
and Exploration
Surface RC
Total
47,229
1,930
18,379
161
129,246
2,124
309
5083
50
49498
87
54581
137
Surface DDH
Total
Drilling from surface identified mineralization in Telfer Deeps (now known as the Telfer Main
Dome Underground). In addition, drilling from underground specifically targeted this
mineralization for prefeasibility and feasibility studies. Table 10.3 lists the drilling available
for Telfer Main Dome Underground for the 2013 Telfer mineral resource estimate and
includes drilling conducted during the period January 2003 to December 2013 which was
available for the Telfer Main Dome Underground Mineral Resource estimate.
Table 10.3
Program
Type
Metres
Number
Underground DDH
24,135
119
Resource Definition
Deeps Infill
Surface DDH
5,660
27
Surface DDH
2,184
26
Development
Underground DDH
759
23
Geotech
Underground DDH
702
Resource
Definition
and Exploration
Surface DDH
Underground DDH
3353
73781
2
218
and Exploration
45
Figure 10.3
46
Drilling procedures changed over the history of the Telfer deposit. Drilling at any time in the
past used protocols and certified reference materials (CRMs) in line with industry practice at
the time. Early diamond drilling tended to be NQ diameter but more recent drilling was HQ
diameter unless reduction was necessary to complete a drill hole. Early reverse circulation
drilling used crossover subs with face sampling hammers used for more recent drilling.
All drilling completed as part of the 2002 Telfer Feasibility Study followed the drilling
protocols outlined below. Unless stated otherwise, all subsequent drilling and sampling has
followed the same or very similar protocols.
A local grid covers the whole of the Telfer mine area (Telfer Mine Grid 2002). It is oriented
with grid north at 44 west of magnetic north.
The Telfer natural surface topography is based on surface surveys prior to the
commencement of mining. Topographic surveys of the pits were completed on a monthly
basis during mining, with an aerial survey carried out once a year to pick up the surrounding
stockpiles, waste dumps, leach pads and tailings dams. The natural surface is used,
together with the current pit topographic survey, to deplete the Mineral Resource estimate
for surface mining, remove any surface dumps or tailings dams and deplete areas that are
backfilled.
10.2 Survey Control
Surface drilling rigs were positioned using surveyed collar pegs and lined up using compass
lines. The dip of each hole was established using an inclinometer. Drill hole collars were
surveyed by mine surveyors on completion of the drill hole.
Several different down hole survey methods were utilized at Telfer at different times. These
included:
Gyroscopic;
Tropari.
For prefeasibility and feasibility study drilling, diamond and reverse circulation drill holes
were surveyed using a down hole gyroscopic surveying tool during drilling. Where holes
were shallower than 50 and the gyroscopic tool could not operate efficiently, an MMT was
used. Diamond drill holes were also surveyed approximately every 30m during drilling using
a single shot Eastman camera.
At drill hole completion, each hole was fully surveyed, with readings taken at 10m intervals
using the gyroscopic tool, or if shallower than 50o, using the MMT.
Underground drill rigs were positioned using string lines between the fore and back sights
with an inclinometer to align the rig mast at the correct dip angle. Collar locations were
surveyed prior to and after drilling by underground mine surveyors.
All diamond drill holes were down hole surveyed every 25m during drilling using a single
shot Eastman camera. On completion, holes were down hole surveyed using an MMT.
47
48
11
49
The sample preparation, analysis and security have essentially remained unchanged since
December 2011. That is laboratories and analytical methods and QAQC protocols (insertion
of certified reference materials (5%) and blanks (2.5%), and the collection of at least one
form of coarse duplicate (5%) and one form of pulp duplicate (5%) and monthly QAQC
reporting). Additional QAQC protocols since December 2011 include despatching a
representative suite of samples every one to two months to Perth for independent analysis
by a second laboratory. Security, data storage, verification and validation procedures
remain unchanged.
A complete description of the historical sample preparation, analysis and security of Telfer
(up to and including 2011) is contained in the Technical Report on the Telfer Property in
Western Australia, Australia 31 December 2011 and available on the Newcrest website at
www.newcrest.com.au and also available at www.sedar.com.
This section of the technical report summarizes sample preparation, analysis and security
and QAQC for data acquired in period January 2011 to December 2013 from three main
projects areas:
50
Figure 11.1
51
BZ Assay Protocol
Figure 11.2
AY Assay Protocol
A separate sample preparation and assay protocol was developed for the O'Callaghans
skarn mineralization. Most drilling in mineralization is diamond drilling and half core samples
are submitted to the laboratory and prepared using the protocol outlined in Figure 11.3.
Analyses in mineralization are carried out using inductively coupled plasma mass
spectrometry (ICP-MS).
52
Figure 11.3
53
resource personnel prior to modelling. The database data import routines and validation is
controlled by corporate database personnel. Assay results were merged electronically.
A detailed validation process is applied to all data entering the drill hole database. The
validation process is multi-staged, requiring input from geologists, surveyors, assay
laboratories and down hole surveyors if applicable. All variations from expected values are
returned by the database administration for approval by supervising personnel.
All samples recorded as missing are coded and checks are carried out for overlaps or gaps
in the samples. This procedure allows for sample tracking at all points of the handling and
analytical process. Details of all sample movement are recorded in a database table. Dates,
drill hole identification numbers, sample ranges, and the analytical suite requested are
recorded with the dispatch of samples to analytical services. Any discrepancies logged on
receipt of samples by the analytical services providers are validated.
11.4 Main Dome QAQC
11.4.1
A matrix-matched certified reference material (CRM) is inserted into a batch of samples with
a frequency of about 5%. All of the CRMs in use here and elsewhere at Telfer were
prepared by a commercial provider between 1999 and 2003. The CRMs cover a wide range
of concentrations from background to extremely high grade. They have been certified for a
variety of elements beyond the gold and copper discussed here. The CRMs are supplied in
small envelopes holding 60g to 100g so are not blind to the laboratory, although the
laboratory does not know the identity of the individual standard.
There have been 2039 gold CRMs inserted in Main Dome area in period from January 2011
to December 2013. These give a bias of 0% (figure 11-4) over the entirety of the 2011,
2012 and 2013 calendar years.
Figure 11.4
54
Outlying values, particularly negative values, were very common early in the period but
have since become rare events. The red moving average has been near constant at 0 for
most of the review period.
Copper CRMs (figure 11-5) shows a similar pattern to gold with many outliers and otherwise
imprecise data at the start of the period followed by a period of high quality data, then a
brief period of slightly more outliers and then precise and reasonably accurate data for the
remainder of the period under review. The median bias for the entire period was +1.5%, a
figure which had been maintained steadily for the last 1000 CRMs. Prior to that period bias
peaked at about 3.5% and had a minimum of around -1.5%.
Figure 11.5 Copper Z-Scores from Main Dome January 2011 to December 2013
Coarse blanks are included in all jobs and go through the same sample preparation and
analysis steps as the routine samples. The main purpose of a coarse blank is to reveal any
evidence of contamination during sample preparation, should it be occurring. They also
serve a worthwhile purpose in providing assurance that the order of samples has not been
swapped. Only two of 1406 blanks reported gold above the error threshold of 0.3 ppm.
Copper blanks were similarly consistent.
11.4.2
Coarse duplicates are collected to assess how representative the sample taken for
pulverising is of the material crushed. There were over 550 coarse duplicates collected and
analysed for gold (figure 11-6). Coarse duplicates have not been analysed for any other
elements. The calculated precision was 34.0%, somewhat higher than desirable. After
removing the low grade samples (gold concentration less than 20 x detection limit) the
precision was calculated to be 27.6%, slightly the upper target level of 25%.
55
Figure 11.6
AuCD
0.1
X=Y
0.01
0.001
0.001
0.01
0.1
Original Result (g/t Au)
10
Pulp replicates are second samples taken from the same Kraft envelope as the primary
sample. They are used to assess whether the sample taken from the envelope is
representative of the envelopes contents. The target level for gold in pulp replicates is 10%
at more than 10 times the detection limit. For other elements it is generally 8%. There are
almost 4500 pulp replicates (figure 11-7) in the dataset and they have been analysed only
for gold.
Figure 11.7
10
1
Au PR
X=Y
0.1
0.01
0.001
0.001
56
0.01
0.1
1
Original Result (g/t Au)
10
100
The precision for the set with a pair average of 0.2 g/t or better was 24%, which is outside
the target level. Removing obvious outliers improved the precision to 16.1%, which is still
outside the target level. The likely causes for this situation is coarse gold present that is not
being comminuted during pulverising, leaving the kraft envelope inhomogeneous.
11.4.3
Second laboratory checks are also undertaken for both gold and copper.
For gold there were 1642 pairs of assays from Main Dome that were analysed initially by
Newcrest Laboratory Services Orange (NLSO) and subsequently by the commercial
laboratory Genalysis using method FA50AAS or FA25AAS.
Figure 11.8
10
Au
X=Y
0.1
0.01
0.001
0.001
0.01
0.1
1
NLSO Result (g/t Au)
10
100
Examination of figure 11-8 shows that the two laboratories have similar average results but
the spread of results either side of X=Y is greater than expected. There is little doubt that
some of the outliers are due to human error, such as mislabelling a sample or pairing the
wrong samples, rather than to slight analytical errors. The precision was calculated to be
38% when the samples with gold results less than 20 x detection limit were removed.
There is no systematic disagreement between the laboratories on gold concentration and
thus no reason to question the gold results as a whole.
For copper there were 1660 usable copper check analyses carried out by Genalysis
following original analysis by NLSO gave a precision figure of 20.7% (figure 11-9) for data
pairs with average copper below 50 ppm removed.
57
Figure 11.9
100000
10000
1000
Cu
X=Y
100
10
1
1
10
100
1000
10000
NLSO Result (ppm Cu)
100000
1000000
The comparison between original laboratory and secondary laboratory was good but the
spread of outliers was larger than expected. There is no systematic disagreement between
the laboratories over copper concentrations and no material flaw in the copper analyses
globally.
11.5 West Dome QAQC
11.5.1
There were 2031 West Dome CRMs analysed for gold between the beginning of 2011 and
the end of 2013. Median bias over that period was 0.0%. Examination of figure 11-10 shows
that the bias has been relatively steady since late in 2011. Before that the bias was on
average lower and cyclic. There are more outliers and 3sd errors than expected.
Early copper analyses used an aqua regia digest whereas more recent analyses have
followed a 4-acid attack. The two forms of digest are indicated on figure 11-10 where the
aqua regia digest is shown in orange and the 4-acid attack in blue. Bias for the two methods
was +0.4% (aqua regia) and -0.3%. The 4 acid digest results have fewer outliers but this
could be related more to experience at the laboratory than to any fundamental difference in
the methods. Both methods have slightly worse precision than they should have
58
Figure 11.10 Gold Z-Scores from West Dome January 2011 to December 2013
z-score
2
0
Au
MA51
-2
-4
-6
0
300
600
900
1200
1500
1800
2100
instance
Figure 11.11 Copper Z-Scores from West Dome January 2011 to December 2013
2.00
Cu (aqua regia)
0.00
Cu (four acid)
-2.00
CuMA101-2a
-4.00
CuMA101-4a
-6.00
-8.00
-10.00
0
200
400
600
800
instance
1000
1200
1400
1600
Coarse blanks are included in all jobs and go through the same sample preparation and
analysis steps as the routine samples.
Only one of 1453 blanks analysed for gold failed but the concentration was so high (1.5g/t)
that contamination is very unlikely and a swap with another sample or standard seems
more likely. Eight aqua regia copper blanks failed with most of the failures were just above
the acceptance limit and are not statistically significant.
59
11.5.2
Almost 1200 coarse duplicates, collected from the crusher product, gave 19.9% precision
(figure 11.12), below the target maximum of 25% when samples with grades lower than 20
x detection limit were removed (note only 93 samples had grades above 0.2 g/t Au). Coarse
duplicates have been analysed for gold only.
Figure 11.12 West Dome Gold in Coarse Duplicates
0.1
Au
X=Y
0.01
0.001
0.001
0.01
0.1
Original Result (g/t Au)
10
10
1
Au
X=Y
0.1
0.01
0.001
0.001
60
0.01
0.1
1
Original Result (g/t Au)
10
100
Of the 4100 pulp replicate analyses for gold (figure 11-13) available, only 455 have a pair
average greater than or equal to 20 x detection limit. The precision calculated from this data
is 20.1% and approximately 1 in 4 has a relative difference worse than 20%. With low grade
samples removed the precision is 20.1%, similar to the coarse duplicates. The duplicate
data suggest there is no material issue with the original assays.
11.5.3
Approximately 1530 West Dome samples have been sent to commercial laboratory
Genalysis in Perth for check assaying for gold and copper. Precision of the gold data set of
150 gold pairs with pair average above 0.2 g/t was acceptable at 22.4%.
Figure 11.14 West Dome Gold in Second Laboratory Checks
Telfer West Dome Gold in Second Lab Checks
100
10
Au
X=Y
0.1
0.01
0.001
0.001
0.01
0.1
1
Original Result (g/t Au)
10
100
Apart from a few outliers as shown in figure 11-14, overall the check grades confirm the
original gold grades.
There were two different methods used for copper analysis at NLSO and three different
check methods. The three combinations that occurred most often (each more than 400
times) had precision of 13.9%, 13.7% and 10.4% for pair averages greater than 20 x
detection limit. This is consistent with the level of precision expected for samples analysed
at two different laboratories. Overall the check grades confirm the original copper grades.
Apart from a few outliers as shown in figure 11-15, overall the check grades confirm the
original copper grades.
61
100000
10000
1000
Series1
100
X=Y
10
1
1
10
100
1000
10000
Original Result (ppm Cu)
100000
There have been over 700 Telfer satellite deposit CRMs analysed for gold in the period
January 2011 to December 2013. The gold median bias for the Satellites CRMs is -0.25%.
Figure 11-16 shows that the dataset is particularly noisy (especially in the first half of the
data). Much of the noise appears to come from mislabelled CRMs, particularly the noise
that extends beyond -6 z-score.
Figure 11.16 Gold Z-Scores from Satellites from January 2011 to December 2013
62
The 400 copper CRMs show a relatively variable z-score chart and shows evidence of
between-batch bias. Median bias is 1% but bias starts the period at close to +4% and drops
gradually to about -2% and then climbs again to +2%.
Figure 11.17 Copper Z-Scores from Satellites from January 2011 to December 2013
Of the 600 blanks only one exceeds the upper limit for gold and that by only a small
amount. Seven 2-acid digest copper values are above the upper limit, including one that
reports over 1.2% instead of less than 50 ppm. All four-acid digest copper results were
inside the acceptable limits.
11.6.2
Duplicate samples or field splits are pairs of samples taken from a structure (e.g. sample
mound.) Duplicate samples can be taken from residue cones, sampling cones, stockpiles,
outcrop etc. excluding diamond core. For the most part the duplicate samples from this
project were collected from reverse circulation percussion drill rigs. None of the 282
duplicate samples returned a result better than 0.2 g/t gold.
Copper precision was 14.1% with grades up to about 480 ppm. The gold pulp replicate
precision of 25.1% is acceptable.
11.6.3
Approximately 320 samples from the satellite projects were reanalysed at Genalysis in
Perth. Gold precision at 20 x detection limit was calculated to be 41.8% but only 16 samples
had a pair average better than 0.2 g/t gold however this is not statistically significant.
11.7 Summary of QAQC January 2011 to December 2013
While minor QAQC issues have been identified in all three projects analysed, the QAQC
protocols suggest that the original assay data is robust with no evidence of a material issue.
In the Qualified Persons opinion the data is adequate for the purpose intended. The sample
preparation, security, and analytical procedures are of industry standard. As such the data
is deemed acceptable input into the Mineral Resource estimate.
63
12
DATA VERIFICATION
The Qualified Person has, through examination of internal and public Newcrest documents,
personal inspections on site and discussions with other Newcrest personnel, verified the
data in this Report and satisfied himself that the data is adequate for the purpose of this
Report.
64
13
Telfer ore is mined from both open pit and underground sources. The gold and copper
mineralization, which is hosted within reef and stockwork domains, is defined in three
principal sites described as Main Dome, Telfer Underground (SLC) and West Dome. The
Telfer sequence is generally oxidized to a depth of up to 200m below surface with sulphide
ore beneath, albeit with localized weathering along permeable structures to approximately
500m below surface.
The Main Dome open pit ore comprises dominant chalcocite and lesser chalcopyrite (at the
approximate ratio of 80% to 20%) while underground ore is dominant chalcopyrite and
lesser chalcocite (again in the approximate ratio of 80% to 20%). Plant feed is made up of
approximately 75% open pit and 25% underground ore which translates to an overall feed
ratio of approximately 65% chalcocite and 35% chalcopyrite. West Dome ore is of a more
variable copper mineralogy, dependent on positioning in the ore body.
Pyrite represents the major sulphide gangue mineral. Sulphide flotation is the principal
mechanism utilized for the recovery of gold and copper minerals, although gravity
processing is also applied to recover coarse free gold liberated by grinding.
Gold is present as free gold with particle sizes varying from coarse to fine. The finer gold
fraction is locked in both the copper and pyrite minerals. Approximately one quarter of gold
produced is recovered as coarse free gold from gravity processing. However the majority of
the gold is associated with the copper mineralization and is recovered as part of the copper
flotation concentrate. Together these products account for approximately 94% of gold
production with a further small contribution being extracted from the pyrite mineralization via
a cyanide leach process.
The current processing plant at Telfer has been producing since November 2004, such that
the metallurgical aspects of the treatment process have largely been defined within the
normal vagaries of an operating plant. The copper concentrate typically assays 13% Cu to
19% Cu, although it also contains between 50 g/t Au and 90 g/t Au. Although the copper
grade of the concentrate may be low given the primary chalcocite and chalcopyrite
mineralization, the gold content provides significant value and represents a major
component of the concentrate. The principal diluent in the copper concentrate comprises
non-sulphide gangue that is present primarily as a result of entrainment in the froth during
flotation.
The sulphide minerals generally respond well to the standard sulphide flotation regime.
However because localized weathering can occur at depth along permeable structures, a
reduced flotation response can occur on occasions due to ore oxidization.
The copper concentrate is otherwise quite clean by contemporary standards. The ore does
contain some cobaltite, an arsenic sulfosalt which is recovered to the copper concentrate
within the sulphide flotation regime. Its occurrence in the deposit is monitored and the
arsenic level in the ore is controlled by blending to ensure that the arsenic assay in the
copper concentrate does exceed contractual limits.
65
Historically the majority of the plant production was sourced from the Main Dome and Telfer
Underground ores. During 2012 West Dome transitional ore was introduced to the current
processing plant on a continuous basis for the first time. West Dome ore is characterised by
higher pyrite levels and fine locking of the copper minerals and gold in the pyrite. The
flotation response of the West Dome ore is generally similar to that for the Main Dome open
pit ore for the principal sulphide mineralization provided that a suitably fine final grind size is
applied to liberate the copper minerals, albeit in conjunction also with a more aggressive
pyrite depression regime.
The installation of regrind mills (ISAMills) to enhance liberation of the copper sulphide
minerals in the West Dome ore as well as additional cleaner flotation capacity (Jameson
Cells) has provided a means of maintaining the quality of the copper concentrate.
66
14
Newcrest has reported a Mineral Resource estimate for Telfer as at 31 December 2013.
The Mineral Resources have been prepared under the direction of Competent Persons
under the JORC Code using accepted industry practice and have been classified and
reported in accordance with the JORC Code.
There are no material differences between the definitions of Measured, Indicated and
Inferred Mineral Resources under the CIM 2 Definition Standards and the equivalent
definitions in the JORC Code 3.
Mineral Resources reported for the Telfer mining centre consist of:
open pit stockwork and reef mineralization in Telfer Main Dome and West Dome;
stockwork and reef mineralization mined underground in the Telfer Main Dome;
Table 14.1 lists Telfer gold and copper Mineral Resources at 31 December 2013. Mineral
Resources are reported inclusive of Mineral Reserves.
Table 14.1
Au
(g/t)
Cu
(%)
Au
(Moz)
Cu
(Mt)
Measured Resource
Main Dome Stockpiles
24
0.40
0.09
0.3
0.02
24
0.40
0.09
0.3
0.02
210
0.67
0.09
4.5
0.18
170
0.66
0.06
3.6
0.10
Telfer Underground
96
1.5
0.33
4.7
0.31
0.57
4.2
0.03
0.1
<0.01
480
0.84
0.12
13
0.59
2.6
0.56
0.09
0.05
<0.01
1.1
0.46
0.06
0.02
<0.01
Telfer Underground
53
0.95
0.21
1.6
0.11
Camp Dome
14
0.37
0.05
1.7
2.58
0.08
0.14
<0.01
73
0.79
0.23
1.8
0.17
Inferred Resources
Table 14.2 lists the Mineral Resource for the O'Callaghans polymetallic deposit.
2
3
67
Table 14.2
Indicated Resource
Inferred Resource
WO3
(%)
Zn
(%)
Pb
(%)
Cu
(%)
69
0.34
0.55
0.27
0.29
0.25
0.15
0.07
0.24
The 31 December 2013 Mineral Resource update has been based on a detailed review
completed by Newcrest of all Telfer production sources to take into account Newcrests
current view of long term metal prices, foreign exchange and cost assumptions, and mining
and metallurgy performance to inform cut-off grades and physical mining parameters. This
has resulted in the most marginal ounces being removed and this has been reflected in
changes to Mineral Resource estimates. The Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources
for Telfer as at 31 December 2013 includes a material reduction of approximately 5.2Moz of
gold to 13Moz of gold, compared with the 31 December 2012 estimate of 18.2Moz of gold.
This reduction has primarily come from West Dome and Main Dome open pit Mineral
Resources as a direct result of the review of long term economic assumptions.
The Main Dome and West Dome open pit Mineral Resources are reported inside
optimization shells to reflect that part of the resource model for which there are reasonable
prospects for eventual economic extraction. A notional spatial constraint using metal prices
of US$1,400/oz for gold and US$4.00/lb for copper and an exchange rate of
US$0.80:A$1.00 is applied for the purpose of excluding from the Mineral Resource material
that does not have a reasonable prospect of eventual economic extraction. The Mineral
Resource estimates are reported at a value cut-off based on expected metallurgical
treatment options and calculated using US$1,350/oz for gold and US$3.10/lb for copper
and an exchange rate US$0.80:A$1.00.
The Camp Dome Mineral Resource is reported within a similar optimization shell with a
copper grade cut-off of 0.13% Cu.
Telfer Main Dome Underground (formerly known as Telfer Deeps) is being mined using a
non-selective SLC mining method and selective mining on M Reef areas as appropriate.
The total volume of the estimate classified as Indicated or Inferred Mineral Resource that is
expected to be recovered in an SLC mining operation, including internal dilution, is reported
as the Mineral Resource estimate. The expected SLC mined volume is based on a cut-off
incorporating SLC mining costs and metallurgical recoveries based on testwork. The
selective M Reef Mineral Resources do not include mining dilution.
The O'Callaghans polymetallic Mineral Resource estimate comprises the in situ estimate of
the main mineralized horizon where drill hole spacing is sufficient to permit Indicated or
Inferred Mineral Resource classification. No grade or economic value cut-off was applied to
this volume for reporting, with the exception of a minimum mining height of 5m as there is a
reasonable expectation that the main mineralized horizon is available for eventual economic
extraction.
14.1 Telfer Main and West Dome Mineral Open Pit Resource Estimate Summary
The Telfer Main Dome Mineral Resource estimate was re-evaluated in 2011. The restart of
mining operations at Telfer in 2003 was based on Mineral Resource estimates developed
during the Telfer Feasibility Study in 2002. The 2011 estimate followed re-examination of
geological controls on grade distribution, evaluation of different estimation methods and
68
assessment of recent mining reconciliation up to 2010. For the December 2013 Mineral
Resource estimate the same methodology was applied with additional drill holes added into
the West Dome area only (approximately ~46 additional reverse circulation drill holes). The
purpose of these holes was to provide data to support an improved sulphur estimation to
assist with recovery modelling. Main Dome resource estimate remained unchanged from
2011.
The Mineral Resource model for the Telfer open pits is composed of estimates for gold,
copper and density. Attributes required for modelling metallurgical recovery and value
estimation including cyanide soluble copper, sulphur and rock type. Weathering attributes
also included in the model.
The Telfer Reefs (M-Reefs) are geologically relatively uniform in nature in terms of
thickness being stratabound. Grade distribution within the reefs is relatively consistent in
that the high-grade areas are relatively uniform in the average (high) grades while low
grade areas are consistently lower average grades. Grade partitions are used to domain the
reefs into high-grade, medium-grade and low-grade domains using an indicator estimation
methodology.
The M-Reefs are sampled by diamond core, RC drilling and face samples (where
underground development and mining are present). Since sample support is not consistent
(core and face samples are based on geological intervals while RC samples are constant
1m lengths), accumulations are used to estimate the metal (grade x vertical height) in a 2D
grid, and grades are back calculated by dividing the estimated accumulation by the
estimated vertical height. The same accumulation variogram and search neighbourhood are
used to estimate both accumulations and vertical heights to ensure consistency problems
do not arise.
Underground mining of some of the reefs revealed that in the high-grade domains the
diamond and RC samples were negatively biased in relation to the face samples for gold
(the diamond and RC samples were under calling gold grades, which was also verified
when processing this material though the Telfer process plant). The face samples in the
high-grade domains were a closer representation of the reconciled grade. To correct for this
bias in the diamond core and RC samples a high-grade (HG) mapping process was
developed; (1) face samples were transformed to a Normal Distribution and hermite
polynomials were used to construct a continuous Gaussian Distribution; the two products of
this process are Transformation and Back-Transformation functions which can be used
to freely move any sample from real space to Gaussian space; (2) diamond and RC
samples are also transformed to a Normal Distribution; (3) the face sample BackTransformation function is then used to back transform the diamond and RC samples to
real space with bias adjusted grades. The adjusted gold grades are then used to estimate
accumulations and back calculated grades. Areas with no underground sampling but
suggesting a possible data bias are designated medium-grade (MG), and approximately
50% of the HG bias adjustments is applied. Whilst it is acknowledged that the MG
transformation values are somewhat arbitrary, it is also considered that there is a strong
possibility that mineralised material adjacent to the high-grade domains will exhibit some
component of positive bias. It is estimated that the MG transformation contributes
approximately 2-3% of the total M-Reef metal content. No transform was applied to the lowgrade (LG) areas. Modest top-cuts were applied to gold and copper grades to remove
obvious outliers before transformation.
All M-Reef estimates are on parent blocks of 12.5m x 12.5m projected onto a horizontal
plane using 2D accumulations. The metal for each of the blocks is mapped to its
corresponding centroid in 3D space, and then divided by the height of the 3D blocks to back
calculate a 3D grade; this process is to ensure that volumetric differences between 3D
69
modelled wireframe volumes (on a block by block basis) and estimated vertical widths from
accumulation do not contribute to any metal biases.
The stockwork gold mineralisation is highly positively skewed with Coefficient of Variation of
between 1.9 and 3.8. Additionally, a significant proportion of the metal is contained in a
disproportionate number of high-grade samples. Ordinary Kriging (OK) has been
demonstrated to be sub-optimal for estimating such highly variable material. Multiple
Indicator Kriging (MIK) is considered best suited for this type of mineralisation. Gold and
copper were estimated using MIK. The type of MIK is the e-type estimate; that is directly
estimating the model blocks with the average grade of the cumulative indicator distribution.
The indicator thresholds were selected such that each bin has a consistent balance of
number of samples and the quantity of metal. The first 5 grade cut-offs are selected to
correspond as practically as possible with the 15th, 30th, 45th, 60th and 75th percentile of
the composite distribution. Higher grade bins are added in approximate steps of 15% of the
de-clustered metal contribution. Indicator variography was then undertaken on gold and
copper ensuring that nuggets increased and ranges decreased consistently in modelling
progressively higher cut-offs; this minimizes order relational problems in the MIK estimates.
MIK bin grades were assigned de-clustered average grade of the samples in each bin,
except for the top bin which was assigned the de-clustered median grade.
Sulphur, arsenic and cobalt estimates were also undertaken due to their importance when
managing concentrate quality. In the past, assays for sulphur, arsenic and cobalt have been
conducted on a selective basis. Workable correlations exist between gold, copper, sulphur,
arsenic and cobalt. Regressions are used to estimate sulphur, arsenic and cobalt values
in the composite database, allowing ordinary kriging to be used to estimate the values into
the block model.
The block sizes in the resource model are 6.25m x 6.25m x 4m for the selective reef areas
and 12.5m x 12.5m x 12m for the bulk stockwork. The individual reef seam models are reblocked to 6.25m x 6.25m x 4m and combined with the stockwork model to create the final
resource model. All modelling and estimations are done in commercially available software
supplemented with specialised algorithms coded within the package as required.
A volume of approximately 200 million tonnes was selected for the ground truth model
(GTM) in Main Dome. This volume has been extensively sampled using closed spaced RC
grade control and production blast holes. The GTM is considered to be an accurate
estimate (it is insensitive to estimation technique due to being totally data driven) for
benchmarking the resource model with wide spaced drilling within a common volume. The
estimation parameters for the Main Dome resource model were refined such that the gradetonnage curves for the models matched closely. These learnings from the refinements were
applied to West Dome resource estimates.
The Main Dome Mineral Resource model is composed of estimates for gold, copper and
density. Attributes required for metallurgical recovery and value estimation including
cyanide soluble copper, sulphur, rock type and weathering are also included in the model.
The data used for the 2011 Mineral Resource estimate is largely the same as that used in
the 2002 Telfer Feasibility Study. Drilling between 2002 and 2010 largely consisted of grade
control reverse circulation (RC) drilling and grade control sampling of blast holes in areas
already mined that provide little additional data for the Mineral Resource estimate. These
data were used to develop a GTM for areas mined between 2003 and 2010 as a means of
assessing geological control on grade estimation and evaluation of estimation methods and
to test the veracity of the modelling used to develop the 2011 resource estimate. As a result
of the evaluation of boundary analysis, diffusion testing and visual analysis, gold and
70
copper grade domains that were used in the 2002 Mineral Resource estimate were
discarded, as were a number of data calibrations that had been applied to adjust for drill
hole type and data spacing. Refer to Figures 14.1 and 14.2 for examples cross sections.
A complete technical description of the Mineral Resource estimation of Telfer for Main
Dome and West Dome open pits is contained in the Technical Report on the Telfer
Property in Western Australia, Australia 31 December 2011 available on the Newcrest
website at www.newcrest.com.au and also at www.sedar.com.
71
Figure 14.1
Figure 14.2
Geology Model
In August 2013, Newcrest undertook a full re-estimation of the resource model underpinning
the Telfer Underground Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve. The re-estimation extends
from the base of the open pit portion of the Telfer Main Dome project (at 12m below the
M50 Reef) down to 3700mRL.
The re-estimation includes the M-Reef horizons (from M60 downward), the A Reefs, B30
Reef, LLU (including the I30 Reef), Oakover Vein, Vertical Stockwork Corridor (VSC) and
intervening Stockwork mineralisation (see Figure 14.3). The A Reefs were bundled into an
A Reef Block, inclusive of inter-reef stockwork-type mineralisation, in order to simplify the
estimation of this portion of the deposit. Given that the method of mining is SLC, with very
limited scope for selectivity, this was considered to be a reasonable compromise. The B30
and M-Reefs were estimated using single intercept composites whilst the remaining bulk
domains were estimated using 4m down hole composites. Grades were estimated for gold,
copper, sulphur, arsenic and cobalt.
72
Figure 14.3
The reef domains (red) and bulk domains estimated (E-W section
looking north at 11300mN).
The geological model was revised by Newcrest geologists in preparation for the reestimation work and was used to define the estimation domains. In addition to the
constraining geological units described above, boundary testing resulted in the separation
of the Stockwork domain into Upper and Lower portions for estimation, with the Middle
Malu-Lower Limey Unit boundary being the divide. The gold and copper grade transition
across this boundary was considered to be a hard boundary for estimation.
To mitigate the problems associated with the high nugget nature of some of the bulk
domains (Stockwork Upper, Stockwork Lower, VSC and A-Reef Block), a non-linear
estimation technique, Multiple Indicator Kriging (MIK), was used. This method had
previously been implemented in the Telfer Main Dome Open Pit model (Cube, 2011) and
was found to reconcile well when compared to the close-spaced grade control production
data.
The more tabular estimation domains (LLU, Oakover, M-Reefs and B30) were estimated
using Ordinary Kriging (OK).
73
14.2.2
Drill data used for the 2013 resource estimate included resource definition diamond drilling,
underground diamond drilling and resource definition reverse circulation drilling.
Grade composites were generated using the available resource definition drill data and the
3-D wireframes from the geological model. Many of the wireframe volumes overlap,
reflecting the overprinting nature of various mineralising events at Telfer. The following
priority sequence for mineralisation was implemented, with domains higher on the list being
deemed to be dominant over those lower down the list:
1.
B30 and M-Reefs single intercepts conforming to distance between hangingwall and
footwall surfaces. Wireframe models are not always snapped to intercepts
wireframe boundaries are smoothed.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Table 14.3
Description
TEU_cube_12m_below_m50_strat.00t
Top of model surface situated 12m below the M50 reef; separates
the Telfer Main Dome UG model (this study) from the Telfer Main
Dome Open Pit Model
TEU_UMM-MMM_201309.00t
TEU_MMM-LLU_201309.00t
teu_rf_m60_hw_fw_201308.00t
teu_rf_m65_hw_fw_201308.00t
teu_rf_m68_hw_fw_201308.00t
teu_rf_m70_hw_fw_201308.00t
TEU_Rf_B30_HWFW_201308.00t
14.2.3
TEU_LLU_FWHW_201308.00t
TEU_VSC_STK_201309.00t
TEU_NDV-Oakover_201307.00t
TEU_A-Reef_Block_201308.00t
The bulk domains in this study were defined as the VSC, A Reef Block, Stockwork,
Oakover, and LLU. The latter two estimation domains, although possessing a reef-like
morphology, were considered to be thick enough to estimate using a 3-D approach and 4m
down hole composites (as opposed to using single intercepts). The vast majority of grade
74
estimation work for the bulk domains was undertaken using commercially available
software.
Boundary contact analysis for gold and copper grade was performed on the following
domains:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Middle Malu versus Volume below Middle Malu/Lower Limey Unit (test within the
Stockwork).
The boundary analyses for both elements reveal that the majority of the domain boundaries
resulting from the geological review are hard. The only notable exception to this was the A
Reef versus VSC boundary and the Upper Malu versus Middle Malu boundary within the
Stockwork. Since the A Reef Block includes a large volume of stockwork-type material
mixed with a small volume contribution from the thin reefs within, its grade tenor is similar to
that of the VSC, which essentially represents a relatively intense vein stockwork however,
the two domains have differing structural controls and orientations.
A distinct hard boundary was detected within the Stockwork at the boundary between the
Middle Malu and Lower Limey Unit which is situated immediately below the Middle Malu.
On the basis of this evidence, it was decided to subdivide the Stockwork into Upper and
Lower portions using this contact surface.
Diffusion tests were conducted in the massive bulk domains (VSC, A Reef Block and
Stockwork). Grade is considered to be diffusive when, under translation from low to high
grade areas, passes through an area of intermediate grade. If the grade transitions are
sudden and unrelated to the distance of translation, the model is of the mosaic type. The
MIK method is theoretically more suited to mosaic conditions. A good test of diffusion is to
plot a matrix of cross indicator variograms divided by indicator variograms. The cross
variogram of two grade indicators is divided by the variogram of the indicator at the lower of
the two cut-offs. The structured portion of the quotient plot is indicative of the distance over
which the grade is diffusive when transitioning across the higher cut-off boundary.
The diffusion tests demonstrate that although there is only some diffusive behaviour in the
three domains under investigation, the range of this diffusivity is generally no more than
10m. This, along with the knowledge that MIK performed well in the Stockwork above the
M50 reef (Main Dome open pit resource model), when applied to wide spaced resource
definition drilling, resulted in the decision to use MIK to estimate grade in the bulk domains.
75
Visual analysis of the composited gold grades confirms the nature of the boundaries tested
quantitatively above. In the gross sense, the strong structural control exerted by the Main
Dome axial plane and Monocline axial plane, and particularly their intersection lineation, is
clearly observed in the spatial distribution of gold (Figure 14.4). The VSC mineralisation
conforms strongly to these structures, as does the intensity of mineralisation within the LLU
and A Reef Block. Another visually observable phenomenon is the greater mineralisation
intensity in the Stockwork Lower immediately below the LLU domain. This enhanced
mineralisation is spatially associated with the overlying high grade LLU domain.
Figure 14.4
Note: E-W section looking north at 11300mN with composite gold grades overlaid (to 150m
either side of section).
Exploratory data analysis was undertaken on the bulk domains with a statistical summary,
by bulk domain, of the combined DDH and RC 4m composite data for gold, copper, sulphur,
arsenic and cobalt (Table 14.4 and figure 14.5 are examples of gold statistics). It is clearly
evident from summary statistics and log-probability plots that the VSC, Stockwork and A
Reef have a highly variable gold distribution, with coefficient of variation (CoV) varying
between 3.17 and 4.44. The Oakover and LLU domains have somewhat lower CoVs of
2.24 and 1.79, respectively, due to their more homogeneous mineralisation style, but are
still considered to be highly variable. The bulk domain copper, sulphur, arsenic and cobalt
grade data also reflect a generally high level of variability.
76
Table 14.4
Basic statistics for gold grade (ppm) for all bulk domains
(undeclustered)
Domain
LLU
VSC
Oakover
A Reefs
Stwk Upper
Stwk Lower
Estcode
4400
6000
7000
3000
1130
1170
1 105
5 868
365
5 565
13 248
17 792
Min
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
Max
98.91
125.89
45.11
54.92
24.87
68.83
Mean
5.73
1.24
1.70
0.63
0.14
0.37
Median
2.08
0.29
0.47
0.11
0.04
0.05
Std Dev
10.28
4.10
3.81
1.98
0.55
1.65
Coeff Var
1.79
3.30
2.24
3.17
4.00
4.44
Figure 14.5
Ordinary Kriging is considered to be sub-optimal for estimating such highly variable material
without the need for aggressive top-cuts, due to the potential over-representation of the
extreme end of the data distribution. A non-linear method such as Multiple Indicator Kriging
(MIK) is likely to be better suited for dealing with these highly variable data sets. As a
consequence, it was decided to use MIK to estimate gold and copper grade in the VSC, A
Reef Block, Stockwork Upper and Stockwork Lower domains. Due to the generally lower
variability and lower data count, it was decided to use OK in the LLU for gold and copper
estimation in the Oakover domains.
Multi-element assaying, inclusive of sulphur, arsenic and cobalt, only became routine at
Telfer since 1999. For this reason, a significant proportion of the drill holes used in this
study only contain selective information for these three elements. Visual inspection of the
composite values shows that sulphur values are generally relatively high where selective
sampling has taken place, suggesting that multi-element analyses prior to 1999 were
conducted on the basis of observing significant sulphides in the core. The extent of
selective sampling is particularly problematic in the A Reef Block and Stockwork Upper
domains, where just 49% and 33% respectively, as a proportion of the gold assays, were
assayed for sulphur. It was therefore decided to use a combination of OK and linear
regression methods to calculate estimates for sulphur, arsenic and cobalt in the bulk
estimation domains.
77
For the lower portion of the grade distribution, no more than 15% to 20% of the
samples were allowed to fall within any given grade bin.
2.
The cumulative metal distribution for samples was calculated by sorting the
composites from lowest to highest grade and then cumulatively summing the sample
grades and expressing as a percentage. No more than approximately 10% of the
metal contribution was allowed to fall into any given grade bin.
3.
A cumulative distribution function (cdf), based on the grade sample data, was plotted
on a graphically, using very small steps for high resolution.
4.
Bin statistics were calculated and examined, with special attention being paid to the
ratio of the mean to the median in each bin.
Table 14.5
Indicator
Isatis Rotation
(Mathematician)
Spherical 2
Nugget
sill
major
(m)
semi
(m)
minor
(m)
sill
major
(m)
semi
(m)
minor
(m)
Az
Ay
Ax
Au >= 0.05
0.117
0.391
35
20
0.492
800
250
30
-90
65
Au >= 0.15
0.250
0.333
35
20
0.417
450
200
30
-90
65
Au >= 0.3
0.320
0.340
30
15
0.340
275
125
30
-90
65
Au >= 0.6
0.383
0.447
20
15
0.170
200
115
28
-90
65
Au >= 1
0.505
0.354
20
15
0.141
150
90
20
-90
65
Au >= 1.5
0.545
0.303
15
10
0.152
125
85
20
-90
65
Au >= 2.5
0.583
0.250
15
10
0.167
100
70
15
-90
65
Au >= 3.5
0.632
0.195
15
10
0.172
80
55
15
-90
65
Au >= 5
0.645
0.161
15
10
0.194
75
55
15
-90
65
Au >= 7.5
0.658
0.132
15
10
0.211
65
55
15
-90
65
Au >= 10
0.714
0.107
15
10
0.179
50
50
15
-90
65
Au >= 20
0.789
0.105
10
10
0.105
50
50
15
-90
65
Au >= 25
0.791
0.104
10
10
0.104
50
50
15
-90
65
An example of indicator variogram model used for VSC domain is shown in Table 14.5.
The local rotation functionality provided by software provider was used during MIK
estimation to define the search neighborhoods. For each target block, a unique rotation can
be set and used to control both the variogram model and search neighbourhood rotation.
The search neighbourhood parameters used for MIK are summarised in Table 14.6 below.
78
Table 14.6
Domain
Eleme
nt
VSC
Au
Block
Discretisation
x
Min
Samp
Max
Samp
12
40
Isatis
Rotation
(Mathematician)
semi
minor
330
160
50
A Reef Block
Au
12
40
330
160
50
Stwk Upper
Au
12
40
330
160
50
Stwk Lower
Au
12
40
330
160
50
VSC
Cu
12
40
410
190
50
A Reef Block
Cu
12
40
410
190
50
Stwk Upper
Cu
12
40
410
190
50
Stwk Lower
Cu
12
40
410
190
50
Az
Ay
Ax
Element
(Domain)
Isatis Rotation
(Mathematician)
Spherical 2
Nugget
sill
major
(m)
semi
(m)
minor
(m)
sill
major
(m)
semi
(m)
minor
(m)
Au (LLU)
0.568
0.231
20
20
20
0.202
220
220
220
Cu (LLU)
0.603
0.178
20
20
20
0.219
220
220
220
Au
(Oakover)
0.621
0.168
20
20
20
0.211
130
130
130
Cu
(Oakover)
0.516
0.242
20
20
20
0.242
200
200
200
Az
Ay
Ax
Isotropic
The variogram and search neighbourhood parameters were dynamically varied for the LLU
estimation runs, based on the same stratigraphy-parallel rotations described in Section
3.9.7.3. The Oakover, being a tabular shape had the search orientation set at a constant
AZ = 0; AY = -45; AX = 0 under the Mathematician convention. Full search neighbourhood
parameters are displayed in Table 14.8.
79
Table 14.8
Domain
Min
Samp
Element
x
Isatis Rotation
(Mathematician)
Max
Samp
major
semi
minor
Az
Ay
Ax
LLU
Au
24
500
375
100
LLU
Cu
24
500
375
100
Oakover
Au
24
500
500
100
-45
Oakover
Cu
24
500
500
100
-45
Domain
Element
Grade Cap
Units
VSC
30
wt%
VSC
As
2000
Ppm
VSC
Co
2000
Ppm
Oakover
30
wt%
Oakover
As
2000
Ppm
Oakover
Co
1000
Ppm
A Reef Block
30
wt%
A Reef Block
As
4000
Ppm
A Reef Block
Co
3000
Ppm
Stwk Upper
30
wt%
Stwk Upper
As
2000
Ppm
Stwk Upper
Co
2000
Ppm
Stwk Lower
30
wt%
Stwk Lower
As
3000
Ppm
Stwk Lower
Co
2000
Ppm
Sulphur, arsenic and cobalt variogram models were generated by transforming the data to
Gaussian space and back-transforming the resulting variogram model to raw space, as no
robust experimental variography could be obtained in raw space alone. The same domain
specific variogram and search rotation strategies for the MIK and OK estimation of gold and
copper were applied during the OK estimation of sulphur, arsenic and cobalt.
80
Blocks estimated by OK and having a Slope of Regression (SoR) greater than or equal to
0.8 were selected as having been robustly estimated for sulphur, arsenic and cobalt. Those
blocks not considered robust were designated for estimation using a linear regression
approach. This involved replacement of any block estimates generated by OK but having a
SoR less than 0.8.
Since gold and copper are the only two grade variables not to suffer from the problem of
selective sampling, regression on one or both of these variables is the only meaningful
option. With the exception of the Stockwork Lower, it is evident that:
1.
Sulphur estimates are significantly better correlated with copper than with gold.
2.
The correlation between sulphur and copper is better than between arsenic and
copper or between cobalt and copper.
The scatter plots also show that that there are at least two sulphur populations. One of
these is reasonably well correlated with copper and therefore most likely a reflection of the
presence of copper sulphides such as chalcopyrite. The other population shows no relation
to copper at all and is probably indicative of variable pyrite enrichment not associated with
the mineralisation. The relationship between sulphur and copper is therefore only weak to
moderate, but appears to be the best candidate for a regression of sulphur.
Table 14.10 summarizes the linear regression equations used to estimate sulphur as a
function of copper for blocks where slope of regression was less than 0.8.
Table 14.10
Applied To:
S = 11.827 * Cu
S = 6.077 * Cu
VSC
S = 8.593 * Cu
Oakover
S = 8.072 * Cu
LLU
Sulphur is observed to be moderately to well correlated with both arsenic and cobalt and as
such arsenic and cobalt used linear regression as a function of sulphur for blocks where the
slope of regression was less than 0.8.
Table 14.11 and Table 14.12 summaries the linear regression equations used to estimate
arsenic and cobalt respectively as a function of sulphur for blocks where slope of regression
was less than 0.8.
Table 14.11
81
Applied To:
As = 32.095 * S
As = 29.411 * S
VSC
As = 47.130 * S
Oakover
As = 59.026 * S
LLU
Table 14.12
Applied To:
Co = 21.323 * S
Co = 36.995 * S
VSC
Co = 25.070 * S
Oakover
Co = 34.296 * S
LLU
It is noted that the regressed estimates for sulphur, arsenic and cobalt are of lower
confidence than gold or copper and are primarily used for concentrate quality predictions
and not directly for Mineral Resource or Mineral Reserve estimates.
14.2.4
The Main Dome underground reef domains have been defined on the basis of geological,
mineralisation and structural information. The following reefs were estimated: B30, M60,
M65, M68 and M70.
Exploratory data analysis was undertaken on the reef domains with a statistical summary,
by reef domain, of the combined DDH and RC intercept data for gold, copper, sulphur,
arsenic, cobalt and intercept length. (Table 14.13 and figure 14.6 are examples of gold
statistics). It is clearly evident from summary statistics and log-probability plots that the reef
domains have highly variable gold and copper distributions, with CoVs varying between
1.58 and 2.68 for gold and between 1.97 and 2.41 for copper. The sulphur, arsenic and
cobalt grade data reflect a somewhat lower level of variability.
Table 14.13
Domain
B30
M60
M65
M68
M70
Estcode
430
260
265
268
270
Variable
82
Basic statistics for gold grade (ppm) and intercept length (m) for all reef
domains
Au
(ppm)
Length
Au (m)
Au
(ppm)
Length
Au (m)
Au
(ppm)
Length
Au (m)
Au
(ppm)
Length
Au (m)
Au
(ppm)
Length
Au (m)
123
123
98
98
96
96
83
83
113
113
Min
0.005
0.05
0.005
0.05
0.005
0.10
0.005
0.05
0.005
0.10
10.00
58.50
3.86
52.95
6.00
45.00
1.75
17.00
2.80
Max
34.87
Mean
3.39
1.89
4.80
0.59
2.74
0.67
2.14
0.65
1.38
0.57
Median
1.77
1.55
0.70
0.38
0.52
0.45
0.29
0.60
0.56
0.43
Std Dev
5.35
1.38
9.14
0.54
6.49
0.73
5.74
0.36
2.66
0.49
Coeff Var
1.58
0.73
1.91
0.91
2.37
1.09
2.68
0.55
1.93
0.85
Figure 14.6
An assessment of the difference between a 2-D estimation methodology and a lengthweighted conventional 3-D OK estimation methodology was undertaken on the gold
variable of the B30 domain. The 2-D methodology uses an estimate of the metal
accumulation in conjunction with a secondary estimate of the vertical reef thickness to
appropriately account for composite data of varying length.
The length-weighting
methodology accounts for the varying vertical widths in a single pass. There is little
difference between the two estimated outcomes evident across all cut offs. On the basis of
the tests undertaken on gold in the B30 domain, length-weighted OK was selected as the
preferred methodology for all reef estimates.
Gold and Copper Estimation Ordinary Kriged Domains
No grade caps were implemented for the reef intercept data. Gold and copper variogram
models were generated by transforming the data to Gaussian space and back-transforming
the resulting variogram model to raw space, as no robust experimental variography could
be obtained in raw space alone. The modelled variogram parameters are summarised in
Table 14.14.
Gold and copper grades were estimated using the Vulcan implementation of projection
unfolding technique (Tetra Modelling). This process uses two designated surfaces to guide
the orientation and the extent of the vertical component of the search ellipse. A pair of
surfaces for each reef domain was created by copying the applicable hanging and footwall
surfaces down and up by 10m, or, in the case of the B30 domain, 20m. The strength of the
vertical anisotropy is variable and is determined during the estimation process, based on an
initial proportion value of the distance between the two surfaces at the block centroid
position. Table 14.15 shows the search radii and initial proportion value defined for the
estimation of gold and copper.
83
Table 14.14
Variogram, models for the estimation of gold and copper grade in the
reef estimation domains
Spherical 1
Element
(Domain)
Isatis Rotation
(Mathematician)
Spherical 2
Nugget
sill
major
(m)
semi
(m)
minor
(m)
sill
major
(m)
semi
(m)
minor
(m)
Au (B30)
0.197
0.218
25
25
25
0.585
210
210
210
Cu (B30)
0.380
0.299
30
30
30
0.321
250
250
250
Au x VW
(B30)
0.169
0.198
25
25
25
0.633
210
210
210
Cu x VW
(B30)
0.443
0.252
30
30
30
0.305
290
290
290
Au (M60)
0.402
0.298
30
30
30
0.300
230
230
230
Cu (M60)
0.461
0.270
30
30
30
0.270
275
275
275
Au (M65)
0.453
0.175
30
30
30
0.372
190
190
190
Cu (M65)
0.383
0.358
25
25
25
0.259
75
75
75
Au (M68)
0.397
0.164
30
30
30
0.439
235
235
235
Cu (M68)
0.410
0.265
25
25
25
0.325
240
240
240
Au (M70)
0.383
0.311
20
20
20
0.306
140
140
140
Cu (M70)
0.345
0.319
30
30
30
0.336
290
290
290
Table 14.15
Az
Ay
Ax
Isotropic
semi
Minor Proportion
Value
450
450
0.4
450
450
0.4
300
300
0.4
350
300
300
0.4
350
350
350
0.4
Cu
350
350
350
0.4
M68
Au
350
250
250
0.4
M68
Cu
350
250
250
0.4
M70
Au
350
350
350
0.4
M70
Cu
350
350
350
0.4
Domain
Element
Azimuth
Plunge
Dip
B30
Au
350
B30
Cu
350
M60
Au
350
M60
Cu
M65
Au
M65
A total metal sum was calculated for each block in the seam model. The Vulcan seam
model was regularised to 12.5mE x 12.5mN x 12mRL and reef proportions were calculated
as part of this process. The metal for each reef in each regular block was summed. The
proportion and metal attributes were exported to a csv format file, which was then loaded
into Isatis. The reef block grades were back-calculated in Isatis by dividing the imported
metal by the product of the reef proportion and the regular block volume.
84
Element
(Domain)
Nugget
S (B30)
As (B30
Co (B30)
S (M70)
As (M70)
Co (M70)
0.162
0.200
0.192
0.373
0.293
0.249
Isatis Rotation
(Mathematician)
Spherical 2
sill
major
(m)
semi
(m)
minor
(m)
sill
major
(m)
semi
(m)
minor
(m)
0.284
0.243
0.242
0.627
0.707
0.751
60
80
80
45
50
45
60
80
80
45
50
45
60
80
80
45
50
45
0.554
0.557
0.567
-
125
140
140
-
125
140
140
-
125
140
140
-
Az
Ay
Ax
Isotropic
Sulphur, arsenic and cobalt grades were estimated using the Vulcan implementation of
projection unfolding technique. Table 14.17 shows the search radii and initial proportion
value defined for the estimation of sulphur, arsenic and cobalt.
Table 14.17
Domain
B30
Attribute
Azimuth
Plunge
Dip
Search Radii
major
semi
Minor Proportion
Value
As
350
600
600
0.4
B30
350
650
650
0.4
B30
Co
350
600
600
0.4
M60
As
350
400
400
0.4
M60
350
400
400
0.4
M60
Co
350
400
400
0.4
M65
As
350
500
500
0.4
M65
350
500
500
0.4
M65
Co
350
500
500
0.4
M68
As
350
400
400
0.4
M68
350
400
400
0.4
M68
Co
350
400
400
0.4
M70
As
350
350
350
0.4
M70
350
350
350
0.4
M70
Co
350
350
350
0.4
85
Consistent with the bulk domains blocks estimated by OK and having a Slope of
Regression greater than or equal to 0.8 were selected as having been robustly estimated
for sulphur, arsenic and cobalt. Those blocks not considered robust were designated for
estimation using a linear regression approach. This included replacement of any block
estimates generated by OK but having a SoR less than 0.8.
Since both gold and copper are the only two variables not to suffer from the problem of
selective sampling, it was decided that regression on one or both of these variables is the
only reasonable option. It is evident that:
1.
The M70 results are of limited use the negative correlations between sulphur and
copper, as well as arsenic and copper are clearly unreasonable and probably due to a
paucity of robustly estimated block data. M70 was therefore not granted further
consideration.
2.
For B30, sulphur estimates are significantly better correlated with copper than with
gold.
3.
The correlation between sulphur and copper is better than between arsenic and
copper or between cobalt and copper.
As for the bulk domains, the scatter plots show at least two sulphur populations. The
relationship between sulphur and copper is therefore only weak to moderate, but appears to
be the best candidate for a regression of sulphur.
Sulphur is observed to be moderately to well correlated with both arsenic and cobalt.
Table 14.18 summarizes the linear equations used to estimate sulphur as a function of
copper. Table 14.19 summarizes the linear regression equations used to estimate arsenic
and cobalt respectively as a function of sulphur for blocks. All regressions apply to blocks
where slope of regression was less than 0.8.
Table 14.18
Table 14.19
Applied To:
S = 17.732 * Cu
Applied To:
As = 76.605 * S
Co = 68.191 * S
As was the case for the bulk domains, it should be clearly understood that the regressed
estimates in the reefs for sulphur, arsenic and cobalt are of lower confidence than gold or
copper and are primarily used for concentrate quality predictions and not directly for Mineral
Resource or Mineral Reserves.
86
14.2.5
Density Modelling
Density samples were flagged by estimation domain using Surpac and subsequent density
estimation was implemented in Isatis.
Basic statistics for density were evaluated and are shown in Table 14.20. Mean density
broadly corresponds with the gold and copper grade tenor of the estimation domain, as
would be expected since the presence of sulphides and mineralisation are correlated to
some degree. The reef domains, LLU and Oakover show greater density variability than
the remainder of the bulk domains. However, the density variability in all the domains is
generally very low with CoVs ranging between 0.03 and 0.14. It is clear that the reef
domains and LLU show evidence of bimodality, which is probably a reflection of highly
variable sulphide content, with massive sulphide development in places. The difference
between the statistics with and without length-weighting was checked and is considered to
be immaterial.
The following decisions were taken with respect to estimation methodology, based on the
results of the exploratory data analysis:
1.
Global mean densities were assigned to the Oakover, VSC, A Reef Block and
Stockwork Upper and Lower domains due to their unimodal nature and/or relatively
low variability.
2.
Density estimates for all of the reef domains and the LLU would be calculated using
OK.
Table 14.20
Estimation
Domain
B30
M60
M65
M68
M70
LLU
Oakover
VSC
A
Reefs
Stwk
Upper
Stwk
Lower
94
35
34
42
39
2 190
1 031
11 331
7 621
11 635
8 316
Min
2.69
2.36
2.72
2.65
2.63
2.34
2.39
2.00
2.17
2.31
2.29
Max
3.95
3.61
4.62
3.63
3.93
5.26
5.17
4.11
4.83
6.24
4.63
Mean
3.11
3.07
3.05
2.91
3.00
3.24
2.90
2.80
2.83
2.77
2.82
Trim Mean
(95th
Perc.)
3.10
3.07
3.02
2.90
3.00
3.23
2.79
2.87
2.81
2.77
2.81
Std Dev
0.33
0.30
0.43
0.25
0.33
0.47
0.30
0.12
0.15
0.09
0.15
Coeff Var
0.11
0.10
0.14
0.09
0.11
0.14
0.10
0.04
0.05
0.03
0.05
10th Perc.
2.77
2.73
2.76
2.68
2.69
2.78
2.73
2.72
2.73
2.70
2.72
95th Perc.
3.69
3.53
3.94
3.45
3.78
4.07
3.47
2.97
3.03
2.89
3.03
Assigned block densities for some of the bulk domains are as listed in Table 14.21. The A
Reef Block, Oakover and Stockwork Upper domains were assigned the length-weighted,
95th percentile trimmed sample mean values. The VSC and Stockwork Lower domains
were assigned length-weighted, untrimmed sample mean values.
87
Table 14.21
Domain
Stockwork Upper
2.77
Stockwork Lower
2.81
VSC
2.80
Oakover
2.85
A reef Block
2.81
Density was estimated for all reef domains and the LLU bulk domain using OK. Density
sample values were capped to the 95th percentile for the LLU and M65 domains, resulting
in top cap values of 4.07t/m3 and 3.94t/m3, respectively. A single variogram model,
obtained from the LLU domain, was used to estimate density for all reef domains and the
LLU domain as robust variography could not be obtained directly for reefs due to a paucity
of data points.
Unique neighbourhoods, whereby all data points were used in the estimation of each block,
were used for the reef domains. This approach is feasible where the number of data points
is not too great to make inversion of the kriging matrix impossible. In the case of the LLU
domain, a standard moving neighbourhood was used. The use of a relatively small moving
neighbourhood for the LLU domain meant that a number of blocks were not estimated, in
areas distal to the available density data points. The uninformed blocks were assigned a
constant value of 3.23t/m3, which represents the mean of the LLU data trimmed to the 95th
percentile.
14.2.6
The grade and density estimates for all reef domains and bulk domains, were combined into
single grade and density values for each 12.5mE x 12.5mN x 12mRL block.
Grade estimates were combined according to the following process:
1.
2.
3.
A final, combined grade estimate per block was calculated according to the following
formula:
OK and the Tetra modelling approach. Globally, the Isatis OK estimates for grade (those
used to compile the resource) compare very well to the Vulcan results.
The most reliable comparison method is that between the main estimates and check
estimates. With the exception of sulphur in the Stockwork Lower domain, the agreement
between main and check estimate global means is within 10%, and often much better than
that. The MIK gold and copper main estimates are generally higher in grade than the check
OK estimates in the relevant bulk domains. This is believed to be because of the effect of
the grade caps used for the OK check estimates. It is evident in the LLU and Oakover
domains, where the OK main estimate and moving average check estimate both using the
same capped sample values, that the gold and copper grade comparisons are more
balanced.
Swath plots were generated for all elements estimated, per bulk domain. For gold and
copper, swath plots were generated in northing, easting and RL directions. For sulphur,
arsenic and cobalt, only those blocks considered to be robustly estimated (SoR >= 0.8)
were plotted, with the swath plots limited to northing slices.
The swath plots generally demonstrate that the estimates honour the conditioning sample
data well. For gold and copper grade, the previously discussed difference between the MIK
main estimates and OK check estimates, due to grade capping in the OK check estimates,
is clearly visible this is most marked in the two Stockwork sub-domains, a fact which is
also reflected in the global statistics reviewed in the previous section. While the estimates
generally follow the plots of sample grades quite closely, there are places where they
depart from one another even for declustered samples. This generally occurs in areas
where sample clustering and/or estimation volume effects are evident and cannot be
satisfactorily accounted for by cell declustering of the samples.
The plot of sulphur OK main estimates versus sulphur moving average check estimates in
the Stockwork Lower domain shows that the area of major difference is south of 11200N,
where there is a relatively high degree of selective sampling for sulphur.
The bulk domain estimates were checked visually by viewing the estimates and sample
grades in 3-D and in 2-D sections. In all cases, the estimates were seen to be satisfactorily
honouring the data.
For the reef estimates a series of random checks were undertaken to ensure that the gold
and copper metal was calculated correctly, in Vulcan, per block in the seam model. Swath
plots were generated for all elements estimated, per bulk domain. For gold and copper,
swath plots were generated in northing, easting and RL directions. For sulphur, arsenic and
cobalt, only those blocks considered to be robustly estimated (SoR >= 0.8) were plotted
with the swath plots limited to northing slices.
Agreement between the sample data (vertical width-weighted) and the vertical widthweighted OK estimates is observed to be good throughout. It is clear from the swath plots
that the estimates for the reef domains have honoured the sample data.
The vast bulk of the model volume was informed by the assignment of constant density
values. These assignments were validated by visual inspection, as were the OK density
estimates for the reef domains and the LLU domain. In all cases, the estimates were
observed to be honouring the sample data.
89
On balance, the grade and density estimates are considered to be sound, and there is
sufficient evidence that the sample data have been honoured.
14.2.7
Resource Classification
The combined grade and density estimates were reviewed as a Vulcan block model. As
part of this review, Newcrest undertook the classification of the Mineral Resource. The
following process was followed:
1.
A Vulcan shell, delimiting the volume where the kriging SoR for gold grade was
greater than 0.7, was created.
2.
The value algorithm for economic blocks, using Newcrest price assumptions, was run
and all economic blocks were flagged in the block model.
3.
4.
The combination of points 1, 2, and 3 were used to visually interpret the Indicated
Mineral Resource volume, which was wireframed for the mineable shapes.
5.
All remaining blocks which were flagged as being economic were classified as
Inferred.
The Mineral Resource classification is considered appropriate for the resource estimate.
Figure 14.7
90
91
15
15.1 Introduction
The 31 December 2013 Mineral Reserve update has been based on a detailed review
completed by Newcrest of all Telfer production sources to take into account Newcrests
current view of long term metal price, foreign exchange and cost assumptions, and mining
and metallurgy performance to inform cut-off grades and physical mining parameters. This
has resulted in the most marginal ounces being removed and this has been reflected in
changes to Mineral Reserve estimates. The Mineral Reserves for Telfer as at 31 December
2013 includes a material reduction of approximately 5.3Moz of gold to 5.6Moz of gold,
compared with the 31 December 2012 estimate of 10.9Moz of gold. This reduction has
primarily come from the West Dome and Main Dome open pit Mineral Reserves.
The Mineral Reserve estimates reported in this release have been prepared under the
direction of a Qualified Person, as defined in NI 43-101, using accepted industry practice
and have been classified in accordance with the JORC Code. Except as described below,
there are no material differences between the definitions of Proven and Probable Mineral
Reserves under the applicable definitions adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining,
Metallurgy and Petroleum (the CIM Definition Standards) and the corresponding
equivalent definitions in the JORC Code for Proved and Probable Ore Reserves.
It is noted that under the CIM Definition Standards, the completion of a pre-feasibility study
is the minimum prerequisite for the conversion of Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves.
The JORC Code 2012, which came into effect on 1 December 2013, prescribes completion
of a pre-feasibility study as a minimum prerequisite to declare an Ore Reserve (the JORC
equivalent of a Mineral Reserve); however this requirement of the JORC Code does not
come into effect until 1 December 2014.
A pre-feasibility study within the meaning of the CIM Definition Standards has not yet been
completed in respect of Telfer Underground Vertical Stockwork Corridor (VSC) and
OCallaghans deposits and these have therefore been excluded from the Mineral Reserve
estimates.
The Mineral Reserves at Telfer comprise:
The quoted Main Dome open pit Mineral Reserve includes surface stockpile reserves
originating from all mining areas of the Telfer operations. The SLC, Western Flanks and M
Reef are collectively known as Telfer Main Dome Underground (formerly Telfer Deeps). The
Mineral Reserves were prepared under the direction of the Qualified Person, Mr Colin
Moorhead, using accepted industry practice and were classified and reported as at 31
December 2013 in accordance with the NI43-101 Reporting standards.
92
The following assumptions were used to prepare the December 2013 Mineral Reserve
estimates:
Gold Price
US$1250/oz
Copper Price
US$2.70/lb
Exchange rate
A$1.00 = US$0.80.
15.2.2
Cost Estimates
Mining costs and pit optimizations used in the 2013 Mineral Reserve estimate have been
updated since the previous Mineral Reserve estimate. The Mineral Reserves include
mineralization which, when delivered to the pit rim or mine portals, contains metal with a
recovered value greater than the cost of all subsequent processes including the fixed cost
of operating those processes.
The mine design that supports the Mineral Reserves has been based on the LOM plan
developed specifically for mineral reserve reporting. Operating cost estimates used in the
preparation of the Mineral Reserves mine design have been developed from the same LOM
plan. Mining costs are developed from first principles using assumed unit costs that reflect
actual mine performance. Haul truck productivity assumptions are estimated for each origin
and destination combination. Drill and blast costs reflect the different physical properties of
all ore and waste materials.
15.3 Telfer Main Dome Open Pit Mineral Reserve
The Telfer Main Dome open pit is currently the major source of ore production within the
Telfer operations. The regional geology of the Main Dome is characterized by deep
weathering of the surface mineralized reef formation which reduced the copper content of
the ore, overlying a less weathered ore with higher proportions of copper associated with
the gold.
Mine production from the Main Dome open pit in the year to June 2013 was reported to be
12Mt of ore for a total movement of 64Mt of material. The current LOM schedule supporting
the Mineral Reserve assumes Main Dome mining continuing until 2024. Production activity
focus alternates between Main Dome and the adjoining West Dome open pit during this
time period.
The Telfer Main Dome Mineral Reserve as at 31 December 2013 is shown in Table 15.1.
The majority of the Mineral Reserve is classified as Probable and was converted from the
Indicated Mineral Resources using appropriate modifying factors. The minor portion of
Proven Mineral Reserve reflects stockpiled ore awaiting treatment.
93
Table 15.1
Mt
Gold
Copper
Gold
Copper
(g/t)
(%)
(Moz)
(Mt)
Proven
24
0.40
0.09
0.3
0.02
Probable
74
0.95
0.10
2.3
0.08
Total
98
0.81
0.10
2.6
0.10
A specific cut-off grade was not used in estimating the Mineral Reserves. Rather each block
within the resource model is assigned a value based on an estimate of its potential net
commercial value. Net values are calculated on a payable metal basis taking into account
metal prices, metallurgical recoveries, processing costs and realization costs, but excluding
mining costs that are common to both ore and waste mining.
Mineralization is classified according to the Telfer Geomet Profit Algorithm (GPA) which
incorporates assumptions about assigning process route to derive the net revenue available
from any given resource model block. This methodology leads to a profit balance,
breakeven type selection of high grade ore, low grade ore, mineralized waste or waste
based upon a block's resulting net value.
The resource models were depleted to the estimated end of December 2013 survey
surface. All material within the zone of influence of the underground SLC was allocated as
waste so that it was excluded from the open pit estimate.
The preparation of Mineral Reserve estimates for Telfer Main Dome follows industry
standard processes:
Pit optimization is run with Whittle software to generate a range of pit shells at
different gold prices.
Pit shells are selected that generate the maximum discounted value.
Selected pit shells are used as the basis for final limits and phase designs. The final
limits pit design is based on the revenue factor 1.0 pit shell.
Final limit and phase pit designs are interrogated for tonnes and grades applying
appropriate cut off values, and exported to mine scheduling software.
Mine scheduling and financial modeling confirms a practical and economical mine
schedule.
Mineral Reserves are generated from Indicated Resources within the final pit limits.
94
for the previous two years up until July 2013. Mine production from the West Dome open pit
in the year to June 2013 was reported to be 19Mt of ore for a total movement of 25Mt of
material.
Figure 15.1
Telfer West Dome Location Relative to Main Dome and Telfer Deeps
Main Dome
West Dome
Main Dome
Underground
West Dome open pit reserve has generally similar geological and metallurgical
characteristics to the Main Dome open pit reserve, albeit with more sulphur and more
complexity of the copper occurrence. The current LOM schedule supporting the Mineral
Reserve assumes production recommencing from West Dome in 2015 and continuing until
2020.
The Telfer West Dome Mineral Reserve as at 31 December 2013 is shown in the Table
15.2. The whole of the Mineral Reserve is classified as Probable based upon derivation
from the Indicated Mineral Resources.
Table 15.2
Mt
Gold
(g/t)
-
Copper
(%)
Gold
(Moz)
Copper
(Mt)
Probable
73
0.68
0.06
1.6
0.04
Subtotal
73
0.68
0.06
1.6
0.04
The reserve modelling methodology adopted for the West Dome Mineral Reserve is similar
to that undertaken with the Main Dome Mineral Reserve, with each block within the orebody
model being assigned a value based on an estimate of its potential net commercial value.
Net values are calculated on a payable metal basis taking into account metal prices,
metallurgical recoveries, processing costs and realization costs but excluding mining costs
that are common to both ore and waste mining.
95
Mineralization is classified according to the Telfer Simplified Profit Algorithm (SPA) which
incorporates assumptions about assigning process route to derive the net revenue available
from any given resource model block. This methodology leads to a profit balance,
breakeven type selection of high grade ore, low grade ore, mineralized waste or waste
based upon a block's resulting net value.
The resource models were depleted to the end of December 2013 survey surface.
The preparation of Mineral Reserve estimates for Telfer West Dome is consistent with Main
Dome and follows industry standard processes:
Pit optimization is run with Whittle software to generate a range of pit shells at
different gold prices.
Pit shells are selected that generate the maximum discounted value.
Selected pit shells are used as the basis for final limits and phase designs. The final
limits pit design is based on the revenue factor 1.0 pit shell.
Final limit and phase pit designs are interrogated for tonnes and grades applying
appropriate cut off values, and exported to mine scheduling software.
Mine scheduling and financial modeling confirms a practical and economical mine
schedule.
Mineral Reserves are generated from Indicated Resources within the final pit limits.
The Telfer SLC underground mine is located beneath the operating Main Dome open pit.
The SLC extracts the high grade mineralized reef system with surrounding low grade
stockworks.
The SLC commenced production in 2006 and currently supplies approximately 5.5Mtpa of
ore to the Telfer processing facility via an underground crusher, shaft hoisting system and
overland conveyer. The current LOM schedule supporting the Mineral Reserve assumes
production from the SLC continuing until 2018.
The Telfer SLC Mineral Reserve as at 31 December 2013 is shown in Table 15.3. The
Mineral Reserve is classified as Probable and is derived solely from Indicated Mineral
Resources. The Mineral Reserve estimate is based on the block model used to report the
December 2013 Mineral Resource for Telfer Underground.
96
Table 15.3
Mt
Gold
(g/t)
Copper
(%)
Gold
(Moz)
Copper
(Mt)
Probable
17
0.91
0.23
0.5
0.04
Subtotal
17
0.91
0.23
0.5
0.04
The reserve process utilises the SLC estimation process developed by Newcrest and
referred to as the Newcrest sub-level cave optimiser (NSO). The Mineral Reserve is
classified using a net value, rather than cut-off grade to take into account the contributions
of gold and copper. This value has been calculated using the revenue minus the cost of
transport, treatment and refining costs and royalty as well as considering the site operating
costs used for cut off determination. The site operating costs include incremental mining
cost, processing cost, relevant site General and Administration costs and relevant
sustaining capital costs.
The NSO was developed internally by Newcrest and subjected to external review. This
model applies the concepts of recovering ore over multiple extraction levels and estimating
the dilution entering the ore flow. The model is based on full scale cave marker trials, takes
into consideration the actual drawn tonnages from overlying drawpoints and is calibrated
using production reconciliation data.
Material is classified as ore or waste based on its net value, rather than a cut-off grade, to
account for the contributions of both gold and copper. The cut-off value used in the Mineral
Reserve estimate includes mining cost, processing cost and combined site general and
administration costs applicable sustaining capital costs.
Figure 15.2 shows the remaining LOM design for the Telfer Deeps SLC.
Figure 15.2
15.5.2
The Telfer UG Western Flanks (WF) underground mining area is located adjacent to the
operating Sub Level Cave (SLC) on the western side located beneath the current
operational Main Dome Open Pit within the Telfer Gold Mine Operations. The Western
97
Flanks comprise a series of high grade veins and a reef horizon. The latest resource model
considers additional drilling information and is now modelled to suit a bulk mining method
and is considered an extension to current SLC mine operations.
As yet, there has been no production from the Western Flanks area.
The Telfer UG Western Flanks Mineral Reserve as at 31 December 2013 is shown in
Table 15.4. The Mineral Reserve is classified as Probable and is derived solely from
Indicated Mineral Resources. The Mineral Reserve estimate is based on the block model
used to report the December 2013 Mineral Resource for Telfer.
Table 15.4
Mt
Gold
(g/t)
Copper
(%)
Gold
(Moz)
Copper
(Mt)
Probable
15
0.98
0.16
0.5
0.03
Subtotal
15
0.98
0.16
0.5
0.03
Proven
Material is classified as ore or waste based on its net value, rather than a cut-off grade, to
account for the contributions of both gold and copper. The cut-off value used in the Mineral
Reserve estimate includes mining cost, processing cost and combined site general and
administration costs applicable sustaining capital costs.
Figure 15.3 shows the Telfer UG Western Flanks in relation to the existing Telfer UG SLC
development, pictured at the top of the figure. The Lower Limey Unit zone is shown in blue
and the Oakover Unit zone is shown in brown.
98
Figure 15.3
Mine Grid
North
500 metres
15.5.3
The Telfer UG M Reefs underground mine is located beneath the current operational Main
Dome Open Pit within the Telfer Gold Mine Operations with economic zones comprising
M30, M35, M40 and M50 Reefs. Gold and copper mineralisation is in the largely structurally
controlled reefs, veins and stock works hosted by sedimentary rocks of the Proterozoic age.
Mining of the M Reefs recommenced in July 2009 having previously been mined in the
1990s. M35 is currently the only producing reef, with M50 under development and M30 &
M40 due to commence development during 2014.
The Telfer UG M Reefs Mineral Reserve as at 31 December 2013 is shown in Table 15.5.
The Mineral Reserve is classified as Probable and is derived solely from Indicated Mineral
Resources. The Mineral Reserve estimate is based on the block model used to report the
December 2013 Mineral Resource for Telfer.
99
Table 15.5
Mt
Gold
(g/t)
Copper
(%)
Gold
(Moz)
Copper
(Mt)
Proven
Probable
3.4
0.25
0.5
0.01
Subtotal
3.4
0.25
0.5
0.01
Material is classified as ore or waste based on its net value, rather than a cut-off grade, to
account for the contributions of both gold and copper. The cut-off value used in the Mineral
Reserve estimate includes mining cost, processing cost and combined site general and
administration costs applicable sustaining capital costs.
Figure 15.4
100
15.6.1
The relevant factors that could materially affect the Telfer Mineral Reserve include:
Mining assumptions;
Metallurgical assumptions.
Capital and operating costs have been determined based on the current operating cost
base modified for changing activity levels and reasonable cost base reductions over the life
of the mine. Ore dilution and recovery loss is specifically accounted for in this resource
modelling process and no additional mining dilution or recovery factors are applied to the
Telfer Open Pit Mineral Reserve estimate. This assumption is supported by the actual
reconciliation between resource model and mill performance at Telfer to date being within
an acceptable uncertainty range for the style of mineralisation under consideration. All
metallurgical assumptions and potential geo-metallurgical paths are based on actual
performance of the current processing operations which includes processing of ore sources
included in the Mineral Reserve. Sensitivity analysis was conducted on the key input
parameters of cost base, head grade and recovery and found to be robust.
The Main Dome open pit operation incorporates an active cave zone from the Telfer Deeps
Sub Level Cave (SLC) operation within the pit limits. Situated on the western side of the
Main Dome operations, the cave zone represents an area within the Mineral Reserve model
that has either subsided or has the potential to subside within the planned operation of the
Telfer Deeps SLC. This area has therefore been excluded from the Mineral Reserve
estimate due to the diluted nature of the material within its influence and is considered a
conservative approach. No other factors are considered significant enough to materially
affect the Mineral Reserve estimate.
Additional underground Mineral Reserve potential is from the Vertical Stockwork Corridor
Mineral Resource. A PFS level study is currently underway to confirm the economic
viability of the VSC and is expected to be completed by 1 December 2014. The planned
mining method for the Telfer VSC is a continuation of the Telfer UG Sub Level Cave (SLC)
with the key difference being the transition to longitudinal SLC layout as the resource
narrows at depth.
Additional Mineral Reserve potential also exists from the polymetallic underground deposit
at OCallaghans which is also subject to PFS level studies expected to be completed by 1
December 2014.
101
16
MINING METHODS
Open pit operations within the Main and West Dome pits have traditionally focused on the
selective extraction of the ore material within the Mineral Reserve through the use of the
sites excavator fleet. This configuration of this equipment, and selective ore mining
approach adopted for ore mining, has led to the use of 12m benches comprising of three 4
m flitches.
Reef and adjacent waste, as well as the edges of stockwork ore, are selectively mined,
while broad areas of stock work ore and waste are bulk mined. Some near-surface oxidised
stock work is dump leached and this is bulk mined. All other ore is fed to the processing
plant and is referred to as direct float ore. Direct float ore will be hauled to the ROM and
normally direct tipped into the two gyratory crushers, but with allowance for stockpiling and
rehandling a percentage of the direct float ore on the ROM pad. Dump leach ore is dumped
for leaching on existing leach pads to the west of Main Dome and to the east of West
Dome. Waste will be used for tailings storage facility construction or delivered to a dump
south of the Main Dome pit and west of the West Dome pit. Of the total waste to be mined,
20% has been identified as potentially acid-forming and will continue to be segregated into
confined cells within the waste dump and enveloped with non-acid-forming waste.
Ore and waste zones are all blasted on standard pattern spacing with 12m benches
irrespective of the subsequent mining method being either a selective approach utilizing the
excavator flitch extraction or a bulk shovel/loader configuration. However, blast drill hole
diameter and explosive powder factors are adjusted to account for the varying mining
methods. All blast hole drilling is undertaken with either hammer or rotary drill rigs
depending upon the required hole size and material strength.
Geological and geotechnical conditions are complex and a number of batter failures, and in
some cases multiple batter failures, have occurred. The pit has an extensive array of
sensing equipment providing real time monitoring of pit wall stability. Mining practices
include standoff periods after blasting against a high-wall and installation of wall
reinforcement in places. Feedback from failure back analysis informs future pit slope design
parameters for pit optimization and design.
102
The Telfer UG SLC is being mined using the SLC method. SLC involves the development of
a series of parallel cross-cuts through the orebody in a regular geometrical pattern. Ore is
progressively withdrawn from drawpoints in the crosscuts. As material is loaded from a
drawpoint, the ore progressively mixes with material from higher levels in the cave. Once a
predetermined draw tonnage is loaded from the drawpoint, loading ceases and the next ring
is fired. As the process continues the rock overlying the mining footprint progressively
caves, as does the rock immediately adjacent to the caved area.
Loaded ore is tipped down an ore pass system to the haulage level where it is trucked to
the underground crushing station. A hoisting shaft facilitates transport of ore to surface,
from a hoist depth of approximately 1,100m.
A decline provides access for the transport of personnel and materials from a portal entry in
the open pit to the base of the underground mine.
All major infrastructure is in place to service the current mine plan. Development is well in
advance of the current production horizons with all main orebody access points in place.
Production level development is currently being carried out on the penultimate planned
production level.
The mine design follows an established geometry employed since production commenced
in 2006. As the design and operation of the Telfer UG SLC are mature there is minimal risk
associated with the mining method and design used in the preparation of the Mineral
Reserve estimate.
16.2.2
The planned mining method for the Western Flanks (WF) is a flat-dipping modified Sub
Level Cave (SLC). The mining process at Telfer UG SLC and Western Flanks SLC are
essential the same with the key difference being the flat dipping nature of the Western
Flanks resource requiring a series of steps in the SLC layout as shown in Figure 16.1. This
modification impacts the draw rate and mining recovery assumptions and the planned
Western Flanks assumption are appropriately adjusted relative to the Telfer UG SLC cave
draw assumptions.
It is planned that material mined from the Western Flanks will be extracted by trucking a
short distance to the existing 1,100m hoisting shaft facility where it will then be hoisted to
surface. The Western Flanks will also be serviced by the existing single portal entry for
transport of material and men into the mine.
103
Figure 16.1
16.2.3
The mining method for extraction of M Reef resources is narrow vein, shallow dipping sublevel open stoping (SLOS). Electric scraping is employed to recover blasted material due to
the shallow dip of the orebody. The extraction design incorporates a 1.1m slot rise that
establishes each stope, with a 5 m wide square rib pillar between adjacent stopes. The slot
rises are excavated as a blasted whinze rise. Where geotechnical considerations allow,
intermediate rib pillars are incorporated to facilitate maximum extraction.
A minimum mining width of 1.8m was used to estimate planned dilution. All dilution material
was assumed to have zero grade and a density of 2.7 t/m3.
Ore recovery was estimated for each stope based on its dip. The recovery factor is
estimated using the formula (2 x Reef Dip in degrees + 10). Hence where the stope dips at
45 or steeper, all diluted material was deemed recoverable (2 x 45 + 10 = 100%), whereas
for a reef dip of 30, the recovery of diluted stope material was estimated at 70% (2 x 30 +
10 = 70%).
M Reef material is trucked to a surface stockpile in the vicinity of the portal. The open pit
mining fleet rehandles the material to ROM stockpiles.
104
17
RECOVERY METHODS
Processing operations at Telfer initially commenced in 1977 as a gold leach operation that
treated the oxidized ore near the surface of the deposit. A flotation plant was added in 1991
to separately process copper ore from the deeper zones in the deposit. Site operations
were suspended in 2000 when the level of cyanide soluble copper in the gold ore
essentially caused its processing to be uneconomic.
A subsequent feasibility study that was completed in November 2002 identified an optimum
strategy for processing a combination of open pit and underground ore through a single
treatment route. The rationale of this project assessment focused on maximizing the value
that might be obtained from both the copper and the gold in the ore to generate a goldbearing copper concentrate as well as gold dor. A new treatment plant was constructed
on-site and commissioned in late 2004. Two products are generated, namely gold dor and
a gold bearing copper concentrate, with approximately 25% of the Telfer gold production
reporting to the dor and the balance reporting in the copper concentrate as based upon
the average production statistics over the past five years.
Minor amounts of oxide ore are scheduled for processing in a dump leach operation as an
adjunct to the main treatment route, with the dump leach output being incorporated within
the overall gold dor production total.
The feed ore for the Telfer treatment plant is sourced from both open pit and underground
mining operations. Owing to the range of ore types with differing mineralization of both gold
and copper, together with variation in ore hardness, the treatment flowsheet is relatively
complex. Two parallel process trains have been incorporated through the grinding and
flotation circuits in the treatment plant which has a nominal throughput capacity of 20Mtpa
of ore. In practice however, the throughput rate generally varies between 17Mtpa and
23Mtpa depending upon the ore characteristics. There is a general operating strategy to
blend ore on the coarse ore stockpile in order to control the feed to the treatment plant in
terms of the ore grade and hardness.
The general flowsheet schematic for each of the two parallel process lines is illustrated in
Figure 17.1 from which the overall complexity of the treatment process may be noted. The
circuit was designed to maximize the recovery of the value minerals, starting with a flash
flotation and gravity recovery section within the grinding circuit intended to capture the
coarse free copper and gold mineralization that is liberated early in the process route. The
milled product from the grinding stage passes to the copper flotation circuit where the
residual copper is recovered, together with a proportion of the gold that is associated with
the copper minerals as well as a proportion of liberated gold. Approximately 5% of the gold
in the ore is within the pyrite mineralization which reports to the copper circuit tailings.
Tailings from the copper circuit are therefore processed through the pyrite flotation circuit
from which the recovered pyrite concentrate is processed through a cyanidation leach
circuit for final gold extraction. The gold is extracted from the leach liquor by means of
adsorption onto activated carbon followed by stripping and electrowinning.
105
Figure 17.1
The gold production from the overall Telfer operation for the past seven years is
summarized in Table 17.1 where the distribution of the recovered gold between the different
processing sequences can be seen.
Table 17.1
Production
Year
Gravity
Dump
Pyrite
Conc.
Total
Gravity
Dump
Pyrite
Conc.
Total
2012-2013
128,411
30,718
16,681
349,690
525,500
24.4
5.8
3.2
66.5
100
2011-2012
138,074
17,491
20,855
636,696
540,115
25.6
3.2
3.9
67.3
100
2010-2011
165,070
5,508
27,048
423,668
621,291
26.6
0.9
4.4
68.2
100
2009-2010
189,789
6,966
35,509
456,646
688,909
27.5
1.0
5.2
66.3
100
2008-2009
161,573
19,604
24,390
423,540
629,108
25.7
3.1
3.9
67.3
100
2007-2008
150,606
32,583
24,349
382,677
590,217
25.5
5.5
4.1
64.8
100
2006-2007
168,504
34,109
31,866
392,601
627,077
26.9
5.4
5.1
62.6
100
The general production statistics for the treatment plant operation are summarized in Table
17.2 covering the eight year period since plant startup. It will be noted that the production
output in terms of tonnes of copper and ounces of gold are consistent with increased
proportions of West Dome transitional ore being processed in 2012 and 2013, with
acceptable recoveries achieved through the installation of new regrind mills and cleaner cell
installations. In the current financial year, the processing plant is treating Main Dome open
pit ore again (Stage 4 Cutback) and gold recoveries are back to historic levels.
106
Table 17.2
Produc'n
Year
Tonnes
Milled
2012-2013
2011-2012
2010-2011
Feed Grade
Conc. Grade
% Cu
g/t Au
% Cu
g/t Au
21,542,552
21,485,162
22,748,595
0.17
0.19
0.18
1.00
0.95
1.01
15.9
16.1
16.8
50.3
58.3
68.8
2009-2010
21,894,106
0.19
1.10
16.9
2008-2009
18,788,116
0.20
1.14
17.2
2007-2008
18,267,273
0.20
1.13
2006-2007
20,571,935
0.21
2005-2006*
20,620,359
0.28
Rec
Cu
(%)
Production
Grav.
Flot'n
Pyrite
Leach
Total
t Cu
oz Au**
74.2
76.9
79.2
18.7
20.9
22.4
50.3
55.4
57.3
2.7
3.2
3.7
71.7
79.4
81.7
26,453
31,235
32,078
525,500
540,115
621,291
69.0
84.7
24.5
69.0
4.6
88.1
34,815
688,909
68.7
87.0
23.6
61.4
3.2
88.2
32,905
629,108
19.0
84.3
73.3
22.3
57.4
3.8
83.5
26,771
590,217
1.16
20.5
90.5
65.1
21.8
50.7
4.4
76.9
27,820
627,077
1.18
25.5
97.9
66.2
19.0
60.0
2.6
81.6
37,775
639,607
Excludes commissioning production from underground of 10,409 oz gold and 599 t copper
**Includes dump leach.
Contemporary processing techniques and current day technology are utilized throughout
the operation. The equipment is maintained to a high standard, consistent with good
operating practice. With the plant having been constructed in 2004, the process equipment
is modern, with individual items being generally of a large size as appropriate to the
20.5 Mtpa ore treatment rate that was averaged over the eight years since plant startup as
noted in the production data reported in Table 17.2. Assessment of de-bottlenecking
opportunities continues as a means of increasing the product output. The dual train nature
of the plant design allows for duplication of equipment items and minimization of the
necessary spare parts inventory.
Overall, the process plant is considered to be well managed and maintained according to
contemporary operating standards.
107
18
PROJECT INFRASTRUCTURE
108
The gas supply and transport network involves multiple supply points and utilizes capacity
in multiple pipelines. Newcrest has contracted pipeline capacity of 26TJ/day.
18.6 Port Facilities
Concentrates produced at Telfer are exported from the port of Port Hedland. The
substantial municipal port facilities at Port Hedland cater for the export of various mineral
types from around the Pilbara region.
Newcrest established concentrate storage and ship loading facilities at the port. The
operation of these facilities is contracted to a logistics contractor.
18.7 Other Site Infrastructure
The Telfer Operation includes a range of supporting infrastructure typical of a large remote
mine site. The range of facilities includes an all-weather airstrip, accommodation and
messing facilities, fuel storage facility, laboratory, workshops, stores building and lay-down
areas, effluent disposal systems and administration offices.
109
19
110
111
20
20.1 Overview
Telfer is a relatively large (total disturbance more than 4,000 ha) and complex operation,
but is not confronted by environmental or community challenges likely to significantly
constrain current and future operations. This reflects its remote, desert location and an
absence of significant biodiversity and conservation issues, together with a proven history
for responsible environmental management. Sound relationships have been developed with
the indigenous traditional landowners (Martu), who hold one of the largest Native Title
Determinations in Australia over Telfer and its associated tenements.
Statutory environmental approvals are obtained and environmental performance is reported
to regulators through standard protocols for assessment of monitoring results. Compliance
is supported by the ongoing implementation of environmental management plans to
manage key risks.
Some mine waste is potentially acid forming, but this material is effectively managed
through progressive encapsulation in purpose-designed waste stockpiles. Moreover, the
low rainfall climate further reduces the risk of Acid and Metalliferous Drainage (AMD). Acid
drainage from PAF tailings is a small risk in the medium term but is an important
consideration for long term mine plans and closure planning
Terrestrial ecosystems carry few rare or otherwise conservation-sensitive species, and
ground disturbance is carried out in accordance with government issued clearing permits,
based on detailed flora and fauna assessments. An ongoing program of stygofauna and
troglofauna (groundwater and cave dwelling fauna) continues to demonstrate the low
probability of the project having significant impacts on the local and regional subterranean
ecosystems.
Water supply from regional groundwater systems involves total abstractions significantly
smaller than licensed amount of 29.7Gl per annum, and the lack of other potential users of
this resource makes socio-political concerns about resource allocation an improbable
occurrence.
A closure plan was developed in 2010 for Telfer and is scheduled to be updated in 2014.
Opportunities to utilise the mining fleet have been taken into consideration during closure
option analysis. However, the availability of the fleet for closure activities is dependent on
mine plans to maximise ore recovery. Engineering options for appropriate rehabilitation of
tailings storage facilities is also a key component of closure planning.
20.2 Individual Environmental Issues
20.2.1
Environmental Approvals
Statutory approvals under the Western Australian Environmental Protection Act (EP Act)
provide the umbrella approval for the project. These approvals are reflected in Ministerial
Approvals (issued by the Minister for the Environment - Nos. 605 and 606). The approvals
include both environmental commitments made by Newcrest and conditions applied by the
Minister acting primarily on the recommendations of the Environmental Protection Authority
(EPA), which coordinated detailed assessment by government agencies of potential
112
On a life-of-mine basis, approximately 20% of mine waste is PAF. While the desert
environment minimizes the risk of significant generation of acid drainage, the PAF material
is managed on an ongoing basis to mitigate the potential for future liabilities. As part of the
mine plans, PAF material is delivered to specific stockpiles with non-acid forming (NAF) and
acid-consuming (AC) waste. Monitoring to date has shown no evidence of significant
generation of AMD.
The PAF material is placed on a separately drained base of NAF/AC material. The ultimate
depth of NAF/AC cover is guided by ongoing studies aimed at facilitating construction of
engineered 'store-and-release' covers which allow infiltrated rainfall to be evaporated from
the cover soil and/or transpired by the vegetation established on the stockpiles, thereby
avoiding passage of sufficient water and oxygen into the stockpile core to oxidize the
sulphides in the PAF material and produce AMD.
Some tailings are also PAF, but the risk of generation of acid drainage from tailings has
been assessed as low and long term management of tailings is the subject of ongoing
studies allied with those described above for PAF mine waste.
113
20.2.3
Telfer's water supply is sourced from local groundwater with decant return from the TSF
offsetting the demand to some extent. Groundwater is abstracted in accordance with a
license issued by DoW and involves annual reporting of volumes used, impacts on
groundwater levels and assessment of chemical quality. With no other potential users of
significant quantities of groundwater in this sparsely populated area, reduced access to this
resource is assessed as low.
No significant impacts on groundwater levels and quality have been measured. Changes
that do occur generally reflect irregular recharge from low frequency but high volume rainfall
events associated with the passage of tropical cyclones or the rain bearing depressions into
which those cyclones transform during passage inland from the Pilbara coast.
The aquifers around Telfer are confined and have little connection to local regional aquifers.
Groundwater monitoring around operational areas, especially the TSF, show no significant
negative impacts on quality to date. Should such impacts develop, interception and use in
the process of contaminated groundwater would protect the broader environment. After
decommissioning, the groundwater mound beneath the TSF will naturally subside,
decreasing the risk of long term, broad scale impacts.
20.2.4
The Closure Plan for Telfer is reviewed and updated to meet regulatory and corporate
requirements on an on-going basis. Ongoing studies to support closure planning include
landform stability and the design of 'store-and-release' covers to ensure long term isolation
of PAF material from water and oxygen ingress that could produce AMD. Kinetic (column
leaching) studies of PAF material (mine waste, tailings and dump leach material) are also
conducted as required, to more accurately define the potential risk of AMD and design of
control measures. Landform studies centre on replication of locally occurring mesas as the
basic design for structures, especially waste stockpiles. The mesa model involves steep
slopes at the top of the structure, decreasing downslope to create a concave batter. Studies
on natural mesas identify size distribution of surface rocks and other soil components with
downslope distance, to provide requisite landform stability. Other studies identify the
abundance and diversity of plant species on natural local landforms.
Trials were conducted to assess the stability against erosion of different surface treatments
clearly demonstrating that mixing blocky sandstone/quartzite material (greater than 100mm
diameter) with topsoil (rock mulch) provides superior stability, and thus superior plant
establishment, compared with topsoil treatment alone. However, the processes for practical
application of this methodology as part of long term landform designs are still being
considered along with alternative options (e.g. spreading blocky material as an armour,
especially on the steeper upper slopes of constructed mesas, either with topsoil
underneath, or without topsoil and allow weathering to provide niche habitats for plant
establishment over time).
A closure plan was developed in 2010. The 2010 closure cost estimate was developed,
based on detailed work programs and unit costs typical of the regional industry. The closure
plan is scheduled for update in 2014. The current plan was based on detailed designs for
different areas (waste stockpiles, TSFs, dump leach pads, process area, etc.) and realistic
unit costs for the various closure and rehabilitation activities required. This estimate was
based on the assumption that the current mining fleet would be used to construct 'store-
114
and-release' covers and rock-topsoil armour covers. Updates to the plan would assess the
validity of this assumption and consider whether alterative options for construction of covers
may be required.
The mine rehabilitation and restoration provision for the Newcrest Group at 30 June 2013
was A$317M.
20.2.5
The Traditional Owners of the land where Telfer is located are known collectively as the
Martu people and they have been granted a native Title Determination over a very large
area of land (only slightly smaller than NSW) which completely encompasses the Telfer
tenements. The original Telfer tenements were established prior to 1994 and are therefore
held to have extinguished Native Title, but some of the more recent tenements granted, and
areas of potential future interest, will be subject to the Right To Negotiate provisions of the
Native Title Act.
Agreements were in place with the Martu people in respect of Telfer for the purposes of the
Telfer expansion project (2002-2005). There are current negotiations underway to seek to
put in place a comprehensive agreement to support future operations at Telfer.
20.2.6
Compliance with statutory requirements for occupational health and safety generally
ensures that environmental noise standards for potential impacts on offsite receptors are
easily met. Moreover, the location of the accommodation centre, remote from the mine and
plant area, and the absence of near neighbours, eliminates amenity impacts.
Air quality is not considered to be a major environmental hazard. Fugitive dust is controlled
using spray-equipped trucks on high traffic areas. Natural gas is used to generate most of
the site's power requirements.
Spills and incidents are tracked as part of regular environmental reporting to the regulator
and corporate. Where incidents or spills occur they are remediated and prevention
measures applied.
The landfill facility is managed as part of ongoing operations related to the large FIFO
population of employees at Telfer. An electric fence has been installed around the facility to
prevent access by dingoes (wild dogs) and this is supplemented by a near daily backfilling
of waste material as required by licence conditions. Telfer operates programs aimed at
workforce awareness of dingo ecology and discourages activities which would foster
population growth (e.g. feeding) and ingress into inhabited areas.
115
21
Production and operating costs for Telfer for FY2011 to FY2013 are set out in Table 21.1.
The Newcrest financial year closes on 30 June each year.
Table 21.1
Unit
2011
2012
2013
621,291
540,114
525,500
Gold Production
oz
Mine
A$/oz
492
820
951
Mill
A$/oz
346
408
476
A$/oz
138
179
191
A$/oz
103
127
114
Royalties
A$/oz
56
61
56
By Product Credits
A$/oz
-463
-472
-387
A$/oz
-339
-377
Cash Cost
A$/oz
674
783
1,022
A$/oz
291
333
389
A$/oz
965
1,116
1,411
Total Cost
Telfer actual production and operating costs for FY2013 are shown in Table 21.2.
Table 21.2
Unit
FY13 Actual
Gold Production
koz
525
Copper Production
kt
A$M
850
A$M
-198
26
A$M
60
Royalty
A$M
29
Depreciation
A$/oz
389
Site Expenditure*
FY 2011 Actual
A$M
FY 2012 Actual
A$M
FY 2013 Actual
A$M
66.5
96.3
83.4
Major Projects
10.0
138.2
114.9
76.5
234.5
198.3
116
FY2014 cost and capital guidance for Telfer, as released 12 August 2013, is shown in Table
21.4.
Table 21.4
Unit
1
FY14 Guidance
A$M
490-540
A$M
10-11
A$M
20-25
Sustaining capital
A$M
60-70
A$M
11-17
A$M
590-660
A$M
20-25
Sustaining Capital
A$M
60-70
A$M
A$M
80-90
Costs assume AUD:USD 0.96, copper price US$3.30/lb, silver price US$22.0/oz
2
Duplicated above under All-in sustaining costs and under Capital expenditure
117
22
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
Telfer is an established mining operation with both underground and open pit mining
operations.
In the reporting year to June 2013, the Newcrest realized gold price was A$1,550/oz and
copper price was A$3.38/lb. Telfer's cash cost of production for the same period was
A$1,022/oz after applying copper credits.
As a producing issuer Newcrest is not required to provide an economic analysis as provided
in Item 22 of NI 43-101 Form 1.
118
23
ADJACENT PROPERTIES
119
24
No additional data or information is required to make the Report understandable and not
misleading.
120
25
Telfer Gold Mine is an established operation with a long history to support development of
plans to exploit the available Mineral Resources.
Factors that may have a material impact on the Telfer Gold Mine include those discussed in
the risks section of Newcrests annual operating and performance review which forms part
of Newcrests Full Year Financial Results for the year ended 30 June 2013, which can be
found on its website at www.newcrest.com.au and at www.sedar.com.
121
26
RECOMMENDATIONS
Telfer is an established mining operation with Mineral Reserves sufficient for an extended
mine life. In view of the nature of Telfer's mining operations and the substantial Mineral
Reserve inventory, no significant recommendations are included.
122
27
REFERENCES
AMC Consultants (Canada) Ltd 31 December 2011 Technical Report on the Telfer
Property, Western Australia, Australia. NI43-101 Technical Report.
AMC Consultants Pty Ltd, June 2012: Telfer Strategic Review.
Beck Engineering, July, 2013: CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS OF A FLAT DIPPING SLC
concept for the Western Flank.
Bennelongia 2009: Stygofauna Monitoring report.
Chamberlain, 1990 (page 22)
Department of Environmental and Conservation
Environmental Protection Act 1986.
2007:
Licence
issued
under
Department of Mines and Petroleum 2009: Inspection Report (letter to Newcrest dated 23
June 2009.
Excel file: West Dome Bulk Sample Metallurgical Results 2011.
GHD Pty Ltd, October 2011, "Power Generation and Distribution Expansion Options, Phase
2 Options Assessment Report", Draft Internal Report
Minister for the Environment and Heritage 2002: Implementation approval statement No.
605 issued 1 October 2002.
Minister for the Environment and Heritage 2002: Implementation approval statement No.
606 issued 1 October 2002.
MWH 2010: Annual Borefield Monitoring Review 2009-2010 GWL No. 150758(9).
Newcrest Mining Limited (Aug 13) 2012/13 Full Year Financial Results Presentation. Greg
Robinson (Managing Director and CEO) and Gerard Bond (Finance Director and CFO)
Newcrest Mining Limited (Jul 13) June 2013 Quarterly Report, www.newcrest.com.au
Newcrest Mining Limited (Jul 12) June 2013 Quarterly Report, www.newcrest.com.au
Newcrest Mining Limited (Sep 13) 2013 Annual Report, www.newcrest.com.au
Newcrest Capital Expenditure Reconciliation (SAP), FY13, FY12, FY11
Newcrest 2004: Telfer Operations - Waste Dump Management Plan TP-REP-10-MN0014_A
Newcrest 2007: Telfer Operations - Acid & Metalliferous Drainage: Encapsulation &
Monitoring Procedure E10-02 15 PRO_2.
Newcrest 2009: Telfer Operations - Subterranean Fauna Management Plan (2009-2013)
E08-01 19 PLA_3.
Newcrest 2010: Annual Environment Report 1 July 2009 30 June 2010 700-600-ENREP-0026
Newcrest 2010: Telfer Operations - Port Hedland Copper Concentrate Facility Annual EMP
Audit Report 2011 E26 108 REP.
123
Optimization
Project
and
Newcrest Mining Limited. Telfer Gold Mine 2010: Closure Cost Assessment 2010 (internal
report).
Newcrest Mining Limited. Telfer Main Dome Open Pit Area Mineral Resource Estimate
Telfer Gold Mine, Western Australia. September 2011. Internal Newcrest Mining
Limited Report
Newcrest Mining Limited. Telfer Project Feasibility Study, Nov 2002, Internal Newcrest
Mining Limited Report
Newcrest Mining Limited. Telfer Underground External to SLC Mineral Resource. July
2011. Internal Newcrest Mining Limited Report
Newcrest Mining Limited. Telfer Vertical Stockwork Corridor Mineral Resources Report 31
July 2011. Internal Newcrest Mining Limited Report
Newcrest Mining Limited. Telfer West Dome Open Pit Area Mineral Resource Estimate
Telfer Gold Mine, Western Australia. September 2011. Internal Newcrest Mining
Limited Report
124
125
28
Colin Moorhead
Newcrest Mining Limited
Level 8, 600 St Kilda Road
MELBOURNE VIC 3004
I, Colin Moorhead, BSc, FAusIMM, do hereby certify that I am Executive General Manager,
Minerals, employed by Newcrest Mining Limited.
1.
2.
3.
4.
I have read the definition of "Qualified Person" set out in National Instrument 43- 101
(NI 43-101) and certify that by reason of my education, affiliation with a professional
association (as defined in NI 43-101) and past relevant work experience, I fulfil the
requirements to be a "Qualified Person" for the purposes of NI 43-101.
5.
I am responsible for the preparation of the Technical Report titled Technical Report on
the Telfer Property, dated 31 December 2013. I visited the Telfer Project between 13
and 14 January 2014.
6.
I have had prior involvement with the property that is the subject of the Report. This
involvement is via my role as Executive General Manager, Minerals with Newcrest
between 2008 and present, as well as fulfilling the roles of Mine Geologist, Supervisor
Underground Geology, Superintendent Open Pit Geology and Chief Geologist at
Telfer Gold Mine between 1991 and 1997.
7.
I am not independent of the issuer applying all of the tests in Section 1.5 of National
Instrument 43-101.
8.
I have read National Instrument 43-101 and Form 43-101F1, and the Report has been
prepared in compliance with that instrument and form.
9.
As of the effective date of the Report, to the best of my information, knowledge and
belief, the part(s) of the Report for which I am responsible contains all scientific and
technical information that is required to be disclosed to make the Report not
misleading.
31 December 2013
Original signed by
Colin Moorhead
126