The Kirkalocka Gold Mine is an active gold mine located 70 km south of Mount Magnet, Western Australia. The mine had been placed in care and maintenance in 2008MINEDEX website - Kirkalocka search result accessed: 31 July 2010 but reopened for a brief period between 2018 and 2021. The mine's owner, Adaman Resources, was placed into administration in May 2021.
It was named after the nearby Kirkalocka sheep station.
History
Exploration at Kirkalocka has been carried out by a number of companies, including Sons of Gwalia, before Equigold Limited acquired the area in 2001.Kirkalocka Gold Project Mount Magnet South website, accessed: 31 July 2010The Australian Mines Handbook: 2003-2004 Edition, page: 99
Equigold, after constructing a plant, commenced mining in September 2002. Over the next six years, the company extracted 307,621 ounces of gold from the deposit, at a grade of 1.52 g/t. Equigold finished mining in October 2005, and continued milling broken ore stockpiles until 14 August 2008. The mine was placed in care and maintenance in September 2008.
Equigold Limited sold the Kirkalocka tenements to Mount Magnet South NL in April 2008.Kirkalocka site overview Lihir Gold website, accessed: 31 July 2010 The Kirkalocka plant, with associated infrastructure, was acquired by Mount Magnet South in a separate transaction in March 2009.Kirkalocka Plant Acquisition Mount Magnet South ASX announcement, published: 16 March 2009, accessed: 31 July 2010
In November 2015, Kirkalocka was sold to Minjar Gold Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Shandong Tyan Home Co Ltd, a company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
The mine was purchased from Minjar Gold by a private company, Adaman Resources in 2017 for A$12 million. Adaman recommenced mining in late 2018. Adaman entered voluntary administration in May 2021, with the company believed to owe creditors more than A$100 million. Administrators Cor Cordis announced a refinancing of the company in August 2021.
Production Production of the mine: Year Production Grade Cost per ounce 2002–03 45,375 oz 1.64 g/t A$359 2003–04 67,454 oz 1.74 g/t A$341 2004–05 59,367 oz 1.94 g/t A$399 2005–06Preliminary Final Report Equigold ASX announcement, published: 3 August 2007, accessed: 31 July 2010 47,638 oz 1.39 g/t A$384 2006–07 37,472 oz 1.07 g/t A$432 2007–08 42,589 oz 1.06 g/t A$423 2008–09 7,726 oz 1.26 g/t A$292 2005–2018 inactive 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–present inactive
References
Bibliography
External links MINEDEX website: Kirkalocka Database of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety