Construction of Phase 1 at Blackwater Mine is complete and commenced milling operations in the first quarter of 2025, with plans to enter commercial production this quarter.
A spokesperson for the mine confirmed with the construction of Phase 1 completed early this year the board intends to make a decision about accelerating the Phase 2 expansion in H2 2025.
When asked how much production is taking place and will this increase, the mine spokesperson confirmed the mine will provide guidance on gold production after they achieve commercial production later this quarter.
Presently Blackwater Mine employs over 400 people in permanent roles, and has a number of contractors supporting areas of the mine in areas such as security, drilling and blasting, catering, and mobile maintenance.
“We want to thank our First Nations partners –Lhoosk’uz Dene Nation and Ulkatcho First Nation, whose territories the Blackwater Mine was built on, as well as and Nadleh Whut’en, Saik’uz, Stellat’en, and Nazko First Nations whose territories connect with other aspects of the mine and its infrastructure – as well as contractors and community members in the mine region for their support as we built the first phase of the mine,” said Crystal Sharwood, director of communications and community relations for the mine's owner Artemis Gold.
When asked about the impacts of the U.S. tarrifs, the response was given that gold is sold via international markets so to the mine's knowledge tariffs are not applicable and most of the mine's supply chain can be sourced from outside of the U.S.
“The gold price is performing well in the current economic uncertainty," added the spokesperson.
