Aurelia Metals is bringing a fresh perspective
to an historic mining region with
one of the state’s most successful exploration
programs uncovering a new mine that
could provide up to 250 regional jobs and a
significant economic injection.
The Federation deposit near Nymagee’s Hera
Mine was discovered in April 2019 and, following
an aggressive exploration program, it
has proven to be one of the highest grade base
metals deposits in the country comprising lead,
zinc, gold and silver.
Aurelia Metals’ Managing Director and
Chief Executive Officer, Dan Clifford said a
Feasibility Study is currently underway to
evaluate the development of a satellite underground
mine, the Federation Mine, 10km south
of Hera.
The Hera Mine has been operating for eight
years and is forecast to come to the end of
operations with the ore reserve expected to be
depleted in 2023.
Mr Clifford said with the development of the
Federation Mine, they now have the opportunity
to sustain hundreds of regional jobs.
The underground gold and metalliferous
mining activities and supporting infrastructure
at the Federation site will mine approximately
seven million tonnes of ore over a period of 12
to 14 years.
The proposed mine development will include
an expanded camp at Hera to accommodate the
workforce, an exploration decline, and associated
surface infrastructure.
The majority of the ore mined from the Federation
deposit is expected to be transported
along Burthong Road to the Hera Mine with
potential for some material to be hauled to
Aurelia’s Peak Mine near Cobar.
Ore will be processed at the processing plant
at the Hera Mine with concentrate trucked to
Hermidale for railing.
Aurelia Metals has submitted a State Significant
Development (SSD) application for development
consent under the NSW Environmental
Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and has
now released an Environmental Impact Statement
for public comment.
“We look forward to receiving public comments
to ensure we are mitigating any social
impacts and maximising the opportunities our
mine brings for surrounding local communities,”
Mr Clifford said.
“Many have done it tough over the last two
years and we are excited by the prospect a new
mine presents to ensure regional families can
continue to benefit from the jobs, and local
business and community support that flow
from our operations.”
Mr Clifford said the Federation development
will produce lead, zinc, gold and silver which
are all metals that are commonly used in
everyday life.
Lead is used in car batteries, pigments, ammunition,
cable sheathing and weights; zinc is
used to galvanise other metals such as iron to
prevent rusting; gold is used in jewellery, dentistry,
to make medals and awards and in electronics
and computers; silver is commonly
used in jewellery, tableware, electronics, solar
technology, medicine, cars and the water purification
process.
