RE: GWA CEO interview
Gowest CEO Greg Romain told mining investors in Timmins this week that the journey of finding an ore prospect and working to develop a new mine has been a long haul, but a worthwhile journey. Romain was speaking at the Big Event Canadian Mining Expo where he provided on update on the Bradshaw project which he said should become a commercial gold mine within two years.
TIMMINS - Just 24 hours after taking his first trip underground in his first ever gold mine, Gowest president and CEO Greg Romain had some encouraging words for junior mining executives and exploration workers this week.
“You’ve got to keep it up. Like, you can’t give up. It is a tough game, especially when you’re a junior.” Romain said Thursday at the big event Canadian Mining Expo.
Romain was one of several speakers invited to take part in the Investor’s Forum. He was there to tell the story of developing the Bradshaw Deposit, located just north of the built up area of Timmins on a parcel of land near Highway 655.
That’s where Romain was on Wednesday of this week, inspecting the latest work now that the company has completed its first blast and is ramping downwards with Cementation Canada as the contractor. The first blast to open the portal was on May 11.
“Gowest is a Canadian company. Everybody knows about us. We’re trying to develop the next new mine in Timmins,” he revealed.
Romain gave a brief history of the discovery of the property, which goes back to the 1960s when magnetic aerial surveys were carried out because of the huge Kidd mine discovery.
The search was on for base metals, and although gold was discovered, it wasn’t followed because of the overburden, he explained.
Eventually the discovery was made and was named in honour of Ron Bradshaw, a man who was instrumental in the discovery, said Romain.
“So I was underground yesterday. We’re about 60 metres into the face. We will hit the zone at about 300 metres, so we’re a couple of months out,” he said. Romain said Gowest is targeting commercial production for 2018.
The company was previously approved for advanced exploration to take a major bulk sample of the ore for further study. Romain said Thursday the company is confident enough to move ahead.
“Our objectives are very simple,” said Romain. “Bulk sample. From bulk sample we’re going to move into pre-production and then right into production.” He added that Gowest would be applying for mining permits very quickly and would not go to a full feasibility study, as originally planned. He said the pre-feasibility study was thorough.
“We’re pretty confident with what we have.”
Romain also revealed that Gowest would be acquiring 50% ownership in the Redstone mill, which is located south of Timmins, along the Langmuir Road. He said the use of a Steinert ore-sorter machine will set the operation apart.
“What that’s going to do is when we crush the ore, we will increase the grade from about five grams up to about 10 to 12 grams before it goes to the mill. It rejects about 60% of the waste rock,” he explained.
“It’s changing the ways things are being done in the mill and processing side, which is a game changer for us.”
Romain said the ore-sorter technology in proven and worthwhile.
“It’s not pie in the sky. This things works.”
Romain also told the investors and exploration people that the Gowest story didn’t happen overnight. He said his company has the right people doing the right things the dream of having a new gold mine is working out.
“We’re not a flash in the pan; here today gone tomorrow; we’re going to be around for awhile,” said Romain.
“It’s exciting times. And it’s been a long haul.”
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