Yes, waiting to see how long before Robins Hill/Curie numbers start to come through in production forecasts.
The current MRE online is somewhat outdated (KLG’s 2021 figures), but just comparing the RobinsHill/Curie zone vs the other main Fosterville zones (Swan, Cygnet, Harrier) shows it only accounted for about 8% of the total contained reserve ounces but was already 18.5% of the total measured and indicated resource ounces and 49% of inferred ounces. Those numbers are only in relation to the areas outlined on the figure and don’t include any of the deeper drill holes announced this year.
The last AEM quarterly said the twin-decline (return-airway and secondary egress) to Robins Hill is now completed. So, with access now established I can see them rapidly converting resources ounces to reserves and adding to the MRE beneath the current outline – should highlight the relative importance of the Robins Hill/Curie Zone to the future of Fosterville especially as Swan and Cygnet continues to be diminished.
Wouldn’t be surprised if there is already small amounts of development ore coming out from Curie, but I’d guess they still need to establish the northern vent raise before they can really ramp up development. That said I did see a few weeks back they got a brand spanking new battery powered Sandvik LH518B underground loader… one three globally, impressive bit of kit.
Not convinced on the ‘sustainable mining’ rhetoric, but that’s another issue - the main benefit is you can throw the old rule book on m3/s per kW out the door. Hard to imagine one of these tearing about without the familiar thunderous roar you associate them with underground…would be quite bizarre.
Seems they are focusing on the upper parts of Curie zone initially, so realistically I would assume it to be several years before development is knocking directly at the boundary – but if the MRE becomes increasingly weighted towards Robins Hill / Curie there could be additional pressure to wrap up the plunge extent…especially given the timelines you outline and running the risk of S2R upping the ante.
I hope they have called dibs on the S3R trading name!
