MUSSELWHITE

MINING

T-Antiform Mining | PQ Deeps Mining | PQ Mining | Esker Mining | Snoppy Deposit | Water Supply | Power Supply

Goldcorp’s 68% share of gold production was 148,800 ounces in 2006 and the grade was slightly higher than 2005.  Musselwhite produced ore from three underground sources in 2006, employing different mining methods depending on local conditions.  The operation faced several challenges especially reliability of the haulage fleet, which will be replaced in 2007.

T-Antiform Mining

The mining plan for the T-Antiform deposit has evolved considerably from the final pre-construction feasibility study. It now consists of four phases, organized according to depth from surface.

Phase 1 production began in 1997, during which the majority of the mineral reserves from surface to the 275 meter level were mined out at a rate 2,700 tonnes per day. Production was eventually increased to 3,300 tonnes per day by expanding the fleet of 40 tonne haul trucks.

Phase 2 production, consisting of mineral reserves between the 275 meter level and the 375 meter level, began in 2001. Supplemented by the remaining reserves above the 275 meter level, Phase 2 has achieved a mining rate of 3,500 tonnes per day using the same fleet of 40 tonne haul trucks.

Phase 3, consisting of mineral reserves between the 375 meter level and the 500 meter level, began production in July 2002. Development of this phase began in the final quarter of 2001 and continues into 2006. Due to the increasing depth of the remaining reserves, an underground crushing and conveying system was installed at Musselwhite. With this system, the production rate has been maintained at 3,500 tonnes per day.

Phase 4, consisting of the remaining mineral reserves in the T Antiform between the 500 meter level and the 675 meter level, commenced development during the second half of 2003. Phase 4 production commenced in the first half of 2005.

Two mining methods are employed in the T-Antiform. Transverse stopes are developed where mining widths are greater than 15 m. Longitudinal retreat mining is employed in areas with widths less than 15 m. Rock mass quality within the deposit is generally good and free of strong jointing and faulting.

PQ Deeps Mining

The mining of the PQ Deeps reserves started during the Phase 4 production in the T Antiform. The PQ Deeps mining will occur between the 570 metre level and the 820 metre level. Mining methods will be the same as those used on the T Antiform.

PQ Mining

Development of the PQ mineral reserve began in 2003 and production commenced in September 2003. The rate of production from this zone is planned at 550 tonnes per day. The mining methods employed in the PQ zone are conventional long hole and sub level drifting with long hole stopes.

Esker Mining

Development towards the Esker zone started in 2004. Production is to begin in late 2006 at a rate of 1,000 tonnes per day. Access development for the Esker zone provides additional benefits serving as part of a ventilation circuit for mining Phase 4 of the T Antiform reserves and the PQ Deeps.

Snoppy Deposit 

Due to its location beneath the polishing pond and close to the shop and warehouse buildings, production from the Snoppy deposit was originally scheduled for late in the mine life. The deposit was re-evaluated in 2005 and underground production commenced from the 30m level, with plans to extract the rest from surface at a later time.

Water Supply

Potable water is obtained from Opapimiskan Lake then filtered and chlorinated in a Class II water treatment plant. About 80% of the mill process water is taken from the tailings pond. The balance of the process make-up water is obtained from Opapimiskan Lake.

Power Supply

A 115 kV transmission line from Pickle Lake provides electric power. The line follows the existing highway and the access road to the mine site, for a total length of 190 kilometres. The camp and buildings are heated by propane. Mine ventilation air is also heated by propane to provide an acceptable working environment and to prevent freezing of underground installations.