West Red Lake Gold Progresses Toward Restarting Madsen Mine in Red Lake
West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. has provided an operations update on its Madsen Mine project in Northwestern Ontario, with significant progress on restart readiness activities, including test mining, capital projects, and mine optimization efforts.
“As we push towards our goal of restarting the Madsen Mine next year, the team continues to make great progress on achieving key operational readiness milestones,” said Shane Williams, President and CEO. “It is a very exciting time for WRLG as we make the transition from developer to producer.”
Key Updates on Restart Activities
1. Connection Drift: 50% Complete
• The Connection Drift, a 1.2-km haulage way linking the historic West Portal with the modern East Portal, is on track for completion by March 2025.
• Progress: 604.8 metres completed of the 1.2 km total.
• Benefits:
• Increased Efficiency: The East Portal accommodates 60-tonne trucks and is close to the mill and primary crusher, reducing haulage distances and improving logistics.
• Eliminates Historical Limitations: The West Portal’s outdated infrastructure required inefficient trucking routes and surface transportation through Madsen town.
2. Test Mining and Bulk Sampling
• Underground access development for test mining has been underway since late summer.
• Bulk samples will be stockpiled and batch processed during mill startup.
3. Other Capital Projects
• Primary crusher and camp construction are progressing on schedule.
• Mine definition drilling and optimization efforts continue.
4. Pre-Feasibility Study Finalization
• The pre-feasibility study is undergoing final optimization as part of preparations for restarting operations.
Strategic Importance of Connection Drift
“The Connection Drift is a key project as we prepare to mine,” said Maurice Mostert, Vice President of Technical Services. “It creates an efficient way to move material, gives our mining teams valuable underground experience, and unlocks the potential to drill test prospective targets.”
The $10 million project, financed through Canadian Development Expense flow-through funds, began in August 2024.
About Madsen Mine
The Madsen Mine is situated in the Red Lake Gold District, renowned for its high-grade gold deposits. By investing in modern infrastructure and streamlining operations, West Red Lake Gold aims to establish Madsen as a cost-effective and sustainable producer.
As the company moves closer to full production, its efforts to improve operational efficiency and enhance resource utilization position it strongly for long-term success in one of Canada’s premier gold districts.
Tags: Northern Ontario / Operational Updates / Gold / All Articles