Artemis Gold marks milestone with first gold pour at Blackwater Mine
Artemis Gold Inc. (TSX-V: ARTG) has achieved a critical milestone with the first gold and silver pour at its Blackwater Gold Mine in British Columbia. The event signals the mine’s transition from commissioning to ramp-up, positioning it as one of the most significant gold projects in Canada.
Jeremy Langford, President and Chief Operating Officer of Artemis Gold, confirmed that early performance results have met expectations, with the crushing circuit sustaining throughput above its designed capacity. Meanwhile, the milling circuit is demonstrating consistent operational stability. With commercial production targeted for Q2 2025, Artemis Gold is now focused on optimizing performance and scaling operations to full capacity.
What Makes the Blackwater Gold Mine a Game-Changer in British Columbia Mining?
The Blackwater Gold Mine is located approximately 160 km southwest of Prince George and 450 km northeast of Vancouver, within a region rich in mineral resources. With over 10 million ounces of gold in estimated resources, the mine has been designed to become one of the largest gold-producing operations in Canada.
Artemis Gold secured Environmental Assessment approval, a key regulatory step that has enabled the company to advance its mine development strategy. The Blackwater Gold Mine is expected to operate with some of the lowest cash costs among global producers, making it a highly competitive asset in the precious metals sector.
How Will the Blackwater Mine Expand Gold Production?
Artemis Gold’s multi-phase expansion strategy is designed to maximize efficiency and extend the mine’s productive lifespan. The project’s open-pit mining operation will be developed in stages, starting with a processing capacity of 16,000 tonnes per day (t/d), equivalent to 6.0 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa).
Future expansions will increase the milling rate to:
- 33,000 t/d (12 Mtpa) by Year 6
- 55,000 t/d (20 Mtpa) by Year 11
This progressive capacity increase allows Artemis Gold to optimize production while ensuring long-term resource sustainability. The gold recovery process will use a combination of gravity circuits and whole ore leaching (WOL) to achieve high extraction efficiency.
The mine plan outlines the extraction of 334 million tonnes (Mt) of ore, alongside 584 Mt of waste rock and 83 Mt of overburden. Initially, mining efforts will prioritize higher-grade surface ore, while lower-grade material will be stockpiled for processing later in the mine’s life cycle.
How Is Artemis Gold Managing Environmental Responsibility?
Artemis Gold has integrated responsible mining practices into the Blackwater Mine‘s operational framework. Waste management is a key focus, with most extracted waste rock being repurposed for the construction of the tailings storage facility (TSF). Any acid-generating waste rock and tailings will be safely stored within the TSF, which is strategically located north/northwest of the open pit to minimize environmental impact.
As part of its long-term sustainability strategy, Artemis Gold has implemented a comprehensive reclamation plan to ensure that once mining operations conclude, the site will be rehabilitated and restored. This process includes:
- Decommissioning of site infrastructure
- Restoration of disturbed land
- Implementation of approved environmental reclamation measures
The company’s commitment to environmental stewardship aligns with industry best practices and regulatory guidelines, reinforcing its role as a responsible mining operator in British Columbia.
What Infrastructure Supports the Blackwater Gold Mine?
To facilitate continuous operations, Artemis Gold has developed a robust infrastructure network for the Blackwater Gold Mine. A newly constructed 135 km, 230 kV transmission line extends from the BC Hydro Glenannan substation near Endako, British Columbia, ensuring a stable power supply to the mine.
The site is accessible via major highways and service roads, further streamlining logistics and workforce mobility. This strategic infrastructure investment is expected to enhance operational efficiency and support future mine expansions.
What’s Next for Artemis Gold and the Blackwater Mine?
Following the successful first gold and silver pour, Artemis Gold is now focused on reaching commercial production by Q2 2025. The ramp-up phase will prioritize:
- Enhancing throughput capacity
- Optimizing processing efficiencies
- Maintaining cost-effective production strategies
With the Blackwater Gold Mine on track to become a major contributor to British Columbia mining, Artemis Gold is strengthening its position as a leading force in the gold sector. The company’s strategic vision, coupled with a well-capitalized financial position, underscores its potential to deliver sustained shareholder value while supporting Canada’s resource economy.
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