Exploration
In 2012, Kirkland Lake Gold acquired the Hurd McCauley claim, along with the South, East and North claims, facilitating expansion drilling of the SMC in multiple directions.
Current underground exploration programs at Macassa are focused on underground drilling and drifting (on the 5300 Level) and include the delineation and extension of the SMC to the east, west and to depth, testing of the Amalgamated Break from the 5300, 5600 and 5700 levels and testing of the Main Break near the former Kirkland Minerals property between the 600 and 6500 levels, proximal to the location of the new #4 shaft. As of the end of September 2019, a total of 67,646 metres of underground drilling had been completed at Macassa during 2019.
#4 Shaft Project
On January 17, 2018, the Company announced plans to sink a new shaft at Macassa. The new, 21.5-foot diameter, concrete-lined shaft will offer a number of important benefits to the mine, including: de-risking the operation; enabling more effective underground exploration to the east of the South Mine Complex; improving ventilation and general working conditions in the mine; and supporting higher levels of production and lower unit costs. The new four-compartment shaft will have a total hoisting capacity of 4,000 tonnes per day (ore and waste) and is an important component of the Company’s plan to increase production at Macassa with a goal of reaching over 400,000 ounces per year over the next five to seven years.
Construction of the shaft will be completed in two phases. The first phase will be to a depth of 5,450 feet and include a mid-shaft loading pocket. Completion of phase one is targeted for the second quarter of 2022 at a capital cost estimated at $240 million (approximately $40 million of expenditures planned in 2018). Phase two of the project will be undertaken following the commencement of production from phase one, and will involve extending the shaft to an ultimate depth of approximately 7,000 feet. Completion of phase two is targeted for the end of 2023 at an estimated capital cost of approximately $80 million. The Company has not completed a National Instrument 43-101 level feasibility study on the shaft project.
A significant milestone was achieved in the second quarter of 2019 with the commencement of full-face sinking following completion of surface infrastructure construction. As of the end of September 2019, shaft sinking had advanced over 400 feet. The project remains on schedule for phase 1 completion in the second quarter of 2022.