The Future: Argyle as an Underground Operation

It is planned that Argyle will conclude mining in the AK1 open pit in 2008. At this time it will no longer be viable to continue accessing the ore body through an open pit operation because the lamproite "pipe" narrows and continues at depth. For this reason, in 2001 Argyle began investigating the feasibility of developing an underground mine. After a great deal of work, a proposal to construct an underground block cave mine was successful, with Rio Tinto approving funding of the project in December 2005.

The Process

Working toward an underground future began in 2001, when Argyle embarked on a pre-feasibility study that examined the full range of underground alternatives and transition strategies. More >