Underground mining
Development of the E26 Lift 1 underground mine began in 1995 with the first production from the Lift 1 undercuts in 1996 and full-scale production from draw points in 1997. Mining of Lift 1 was completed in 2003. Construction of the E26 Lift 2 mine commenced in 2001 and was completed in September 2004, with first production from the Lift 2 block cave in August 2004.
The gap in underground production between Lift 1 and Lift 2 was filled with ore sourced from open cut stockpiles, a cutback of E27 pit and two underground transition projects; recovery of the Lift 1 extraction level pillars (Pillar-wrecking project) and small slots cut beneath the Lift 1 extraction level (9780L Project).
Current underground operations at NPM comprise the E26 Lift 2 and Lift 2N block cave mines. The E48 ore body is located approximately 2 km north of E26, and midway between the E26 hoisting shaft and the Processing Plant. Development of the E48 block cave mine is underway with full production expected to be reached in October 2010.
A short video about the underground mine