Mt Carbine enters new mining era
EQ Resources (EQR) will transition its Mt Carbine tungsten project in north Queensland to an owner-operator mining model in a bid to increase cost savings, operational control, and mining flexibility.
In May 2023, EQR executed a mining services agreement with Golding Contractors, which was split into two phases to safeguard the schedule of costs from mining hard rock tungsten. Phase 1 was estimated to take 12–18 months on a cost-plus basis.
Phase 1 has now been completed over a 14-month period on a cost-plus basis, with the decision to finalise the Phase 1 contract with Golding and transition to owner-operator mining reflecting extensive planning and evaluation to determine the most effective operating model for Mt Carbine. This included an expert framework and infrastructure for mining operations, operational health and safety, and personnel development.
The new 24-hour owner-operator model will be implemented during the month of August and is expected to help upskill EQR’s local workforce, increase monthly tonnes of tungsten mined, reduce overall unit costs and provide earlier access to the higher-grade vein packages.
“Our teams have worked smoothly together over the past 14 months as we re-opened the Andy White open pit at Mt Carbine,” EQR chief executive officer Mr Kevin MacNeill said.
“Our existing staff and transferred staff have taken on board much of Golding’s mining expertise over that period, and we are thankful for Golding’s assistance in the transition to owner-operator mining.”
Key management personnel that operated the mining and engineering departments have transitioned to become EQR employees. The majority of employees previously engaged by Golding have also been brought into the Mt Carbine operations team.