Capricorn Completes Karlawinda Expansion at 6.5Mtpa

Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX:CMM) has completed construction of the Karlawinda Expansion Project and started continuous ore processing through the new parallel crushing, milling and CIL circuits, reaching the targeted 6.5 Mtpa throughput.

Construction and installation works were completed on schedule, allowing commissioning to be completed over the last two weeks. Capricorn says all components of the new plant are now operational and transitioning to full throughput on a steady state basis. The Capricorn construction team delivered the project in 12 months, supported by partners including Interquip, CPC Engineering, ECG Engineering, Jagcor and HMR. The new plant is currently processing low grade ore and will transition to run of mine grade ore over the coming week as the plant moves to steady state. Following commissioning, the Karlawinda Expansion Project is fully incorporated into the broader Karlawinda Gold Project. The expanded operation has achieved the targeted steady state project throughput of 6.5Mtpa, with further optimisation of the product size from the KEP crushing circuit ongoing. Commissioning of CIL areas and TSF 2 pipework is complete and run of mine ore stocks continue to build on ROM Pad 2. The expanded Karlawinda Gold Project is expected to produce in the order of 150,000 ounces of gold per annum, underpinned by a mine life of more than 10 years on existing reserves.

The release does not state the capital cost of the expansion, or give FY27 production guidance.