GOLD: Rubicon begins mill commissioning

ONTARIO – Toronto's Rubicon Minerals Corp. has begun commissioning the 1,250-t/d mill at its Phoenix gold project in the Red Lake camp. This milestone was reached ahead of schedule, and the project remains on track for initial production in mid-2015.

In the mill, the elution circuit, thickener, service and process water tanks, reagent area and control room equipment are all being run-in. Rubicon still has about $8 million in capital spending to complete the mill, including the remaining piping, electrical and surface conveyor construction.

In the Phoenix mine, about 85% of the 8,023 metres of development is complete, and eight stopes are in various stages of development between the 122- and 305-metre levels. The crushing station at the ore pass at the 305 level is being installed, and crushed ore will be  hauled on that level to be hoisted. Rubicon says there remain about $18 million of capital projects in the mine.

Mineralized material is being stockpiled, roughly 11,600 tonnes so far, and will continue in anticipation of continuous mill operation.

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