Published: January 24, 2025 |

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Artemis Gold has commissioned the grinding circuit at its Blackwater Mine in Central British Columbia, and started million its first fore.

The company announced on Wednesday that its on target for its first gold pour expected later on this month.

The Blackwater mine project involves constructing, operating, and closing an open-pit gold and silver mine, along with ore processing facilities.

Artemis plans to recover gold and silver using a combined gravity circuit and whole ore leach. The company will initially process high-grade, near-surface ore and later use stockpiled lower-grade material at the end of the mine’s life.

The Blackwater mine received its BC Mines Act permit in March 2023. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency issued a positive decision statement in April 2019, followed by an environmental assessment certificate later that year.

The mine lies approximately 160 km southwest of Prince George and 446 km northeast of Vancouver, with access via major highways and service roads.

Artemis holds interests in 328 mineral claims spanning 1,487 sq. km, distributed across the property and the Capoose, Auro, Key, Parlane, and RJK claim blocks. The Crown controls the surface rights over the project area.

The company picked up the project from New Gold in August 2020, planning its development in phases with an emphasis on creating shareholder value through responsible mineral exploration and development. The mine targets an open-pit operation for gold and silver, with the first gold pour expected in the second half of 2024, now slightly delayed to January 2025 due to various operational enhancements.

BLACKWATER MINE NEARLY COMPLETED BACK IN SEPTEMBER

Construction at the Blackwater Mine has reached over 95 percent completion as of September 30, 2024, with the project fully funded and aiming for its first gold pour towards the end of Q4 2024.

Key infrastructure developments include the completion of a 135-kilometer long 225kV transmission line connected to BC Hydro’s Glenannan substation, energizing the site with renewable grid power.

The tailings storage facility is set to be complete by the end of October 2024, preparing for ore commissioning. The mine has also managed to work 4 million hours without a lost time incident (LTI), showcasing a commitment to safety.

The Blackwater Mine is not just a mining operation but a significant economic driver for British Columbia. It’s estimated to deliver $2.3 billion in provincial revenues over its life and provide employment for approximately 825 workers during construction and expansion, with 450 jobs during its operational phase. Beyond economics, Artemis Gold has engaged deeply with local Indigenous communities, notably the Lhoosk’uz Dené Nation and Ulkatcho First Nation, through agreements aimed at promoting economic, employment, and social benefits.

In May 2021, Artemis signed an impact benefits agreement with the Nazko Nation for the Blackwater project. The company continues discussions with the Carrier Sekani First Nations regarding proposed linear infrastructure corridors within their territories.

The Blackwater mine is in a position to have one of the lowest greenhouse gas emissions for an open-pit mine because of its connection to the BC Hydro grid.

Source: Mugglehead Magazine

Artemis Gold is a well-financed, growth-oriented gold development company with a strong financial capacity aimed at creating shareholder value through the identification, acquisition, and development of gold properties in mining-friendly jurisdictions. The company’s current focus is construction of the Blackwater Mine project in central British Columbia. The project is one of the largest capital investments in the Bulkley-Nechako, Fraser-Fort George and Cariboo regions of B.C. in the last decade.

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