Horizon Minerals has taken a decisive step to fast-track its Black Swan Processing Hub by ordering critical long lead items, underpinning its transformation into a 2.2Mtpa gold processing facility near Kalgoorlie.
- Orders placed for pre-leach thickener and SAG and ball mill motors with variable speed drives
- Front End Engineering Design (FEED) studies progressing, completion expected in 4-5 weeks
- Early procurement aims to de-risk construction schedule ahead of full EPC contract award
- Operational readiness underway for initial ore feed sources: Boorara, Burbanks, Cannon
- Black Swan Processing Hub set to become a strategic gold processing facility in Kalgoorlie
Strategic Equipment Orders Signal Project Momentum
Horizon Minerals has announced the procurement of critical long lead items for its Black Swan Processing Hub, a move that underscores the company’s commitment to accelerating the conversion of this facility into a fully operational gold processing plant. Located near Kalgoorlie in Western Australia’s prolific Goldfields region, the Black Swan Processing Hub is poised to become a significant player with a planned throughput capacity of 2.2 million tonnes per annum.
The key equipment ordered includes a pre-leach thickener, essential for maintaining consistent underflow density to the carbon in leach circuit, and modern SAG and ball mill motors equipped with variable speed drives. These upgrades are expected to enhance reliability, scalability, and potentially increase throughput, reflecting Horizon’s focus on operational efficiency and future-proofing the plant.
Engineering Progress and Risk Mitigation
Alongside these orders, Horizon Minerals is advancing its Front End Engineering Design (FEED) studies, with completion anticipated within the next four to five weeks. The early commitment to long lead items is a strategic decision aimed at de-risking the construction timeline ahead of awarding the full Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract. This approach signals Horizon’s intent to maintain momentum and adhere to project schedules, a critical factor in capital-intensive mining developments.
Operational Readiness and Feed Sources
Preparations for operational readiness are also underway, targeting initial ore feed sources including Boorara, Burbanks, and Cannon. These sites will supply the ore necessary to ramp up processing activities once the hub is fully commissioned. Managing Director Grant Haywood highlighted the significance of these developments, noting that the project is entering an exciting phase with multiple work programs commencing in tandem.
Horizon’s proactive steps come on the heels of a successful capital raise that fully funds the development, providing the financial foundation to support these advancements. The company’s focus on timely execution and strategic procurement reflects a broader industry trend where early equipment orders are used to mitigate supply chain risks and avoid costly delays.
Looking Ahead
As Horizon Minerals progresses through these critical milestones, the Black Swan Processing Hub is shaping up to be a cornerstone asset in the Kalgoorlie Goldfields. Investors and industry watchers will be keenly observing the completion of FEED studies and the subsequent awarding of the EPC contract, which will provide clearer visibility on project timelines and capital expenditure.
Bottom Line?
Horizon’s early equipment orders and advancing engineering studies set the stage for a pivotal phase in the Black Swan gold hub’s development.
Questions in the middle?
- When will Horizon Minerals award the full EPC contract and what are the expected terms?
- How will the upgraded equipment impact the plant’s throughput and operational costs?
- What are the timelines and expected production ramp-up from initial ore feed sources?