NT Govt approves the restart of operations at Fountain Head Gold Project

Gold mining operations can soon re-commence at the Fountain Head Gold Project in the Northern Territory after the Territory Government approved its amended Mining Management Plan (MMP). 

NT Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment Joshua Burgoyne granted the approval to Patronus Resources Limited, which has met its regulatory requirements under the new Environment Protection Act 2019 and is now authorised to proceed with restarting operations with an approved Deemed Mining Licence (DML). 

“This is the first mine approved to restart operations and transition out of care and maintenance under the NT Government’s updated regulatory process. 

“Our Government is focused on rebuilding the Territory’s economy, and that means doing what we can to get projects like this up and running. 

“An important part of the process is ensuring compliance with environmental safeguards. The CLP Government is cutting red tape, not cutting corners. 

“Pine Creek is the historic epicentre of gold mining in the Territory, and this is exciting news for the local economy and jobs, for the regional businesses that will benefit from the revival of this important project,” Minister Burgoyne said. 

The Fountain Head Gold Project is an open-cut gold mine first developed in 2008, that since has been under care and maintenance. Production halted during the care and maintenance phase, but the site has been continuously managed to ensure it remains in a safe and stable condition. 

The mine holds an estimated three million tonnes of gold-bearing ore within its existing pit. 

A new gold mill at Fountain Head is expected to also create opportunities for other nearby gold resources such as Glencoe and Mount Porter to be developed. 

“This is good news for the Pine Creek region, local businesses and the local community. 

“Our mining and resources sector contributes over $6 billion to our economy, creates thousands of jobs for Territorians, and supports regional businesses. Our Government is committed to backing, and getting more of, these projects off the ground,” Minister for Mining and Energy Gerard Maley said. 

Other proposed works at the Fountain Head Gold Project, in addition to the recommencement of mining operations, include: 

• Construction of a mill for processing gold ore 

• Construction of an evaporation pond for management of water 

• Construction of an integrated waste landform to store mine waste 

• Rehabilitation of the project once it is completed 

The Fountain Head Gold Project is fully owned by Patronus Resources Limited. It is located in the Pine Creek region, about 170 kilometres by road from Darwin. 

Patronus Resources is currently undertaking 2,000 metres of RC drilling at Glencoe and is planning 500 metres of diamond drilling at Fountain Head, which will begin shortly, to test for high-grade extensions to the existing 234koz resource base. 

“We are delighted with the timely receipt of the MMP approval from Minister Burgoyne, and I would like to thank the NT Government for their efficient management and oversight of this process, which demonstrates their ongoing commitment to support the development of new resource projects in the Territory. 

“This is an important regulatory approval which allows us to move the Fountain Head Project forward. We are looking forward to receiving assay results from the current RC drilling at Glencoe and the imminent commencement of diamond drilling at Fountain Head, as part of a new phase of work aimed at expanding and upgrading the current resources to inform future development scenarios,” Patronus Resouces Limited CEO John Ingram said. 

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom; Patronus Resources Limited; Australian Mining; Mining Technology