The bulk earthworks required for the project’s accommodation village have commenced.

Pilbara Minerals stated that the start of bulk earthworks marks a significant milestone for the company, putting it on track to commence run of ore mining in the June 2017 quarter.

In October, Pilbara Minerals acquired the Roy Hill project’s Rail Camp 3, which comprises a 300-person camp including a gym, recreation and wet mess. Bulk earthworks are now underway for the Stage 1 relocation of this camp to Pilgangoora, comprising an initial 60 accommodation rooms as well as common central facilities.

The package of work includes:

• Mobilisation and establishment of temporary offices, power and water supply infrastructure to support the works;
• Establishment of suitable borrow pits;
• Clearing of the planned camp access road from the main project site through to the camp location; and
• Clearing and ground preparation of the area required to underpin the Stage 1 relocation of the camp to support ongoing exploration activities, with approximately 5.7ha to be cleared during this initial stage.

The work is expected to be completed by the end of December 2016.

Ken Brinsden, managing director and CEO of Pilbara Minerals, said: “The turning of the first sod at Pilgangoora represents an exciting and hugely important milestone for Pilbara Minerals, marking the start of construction and development at our flagship asset and putting us on track to commence commissioning of the plant in late 2017.”