Community Notification

AUGUST 2022

Exploration Drilling Program – Robbins Hill August Update

Please find below an update on the current and proposed exploration activities in the vicinity of Robbins Hill. The maps below outline both current exploration drill sites and future exploration drill sites.

Diamond drilling utilises a hollow drill bit impregnated with diamonds to produce a ‘stick’ of core that preserves details of geology, ground conditions and mineralogy. The diamond drill rig is operated by two to three personnel, with occasional visitors, as required. Access to all drill sites will be via internal site roads, with access via public roads only if required.

Expected time frames for the exploration drilling are outlined below. However, this will be subject to minor variations depending on ground conditions and operational requirements.

Current Exploration Drilling

  • Site A – Exploration diamond drilling within custom-built acoustic shed until early November 2022.
  • Site F – Exploration diamond drilling within custom-built acoustic shed until March 2023.
  • Site G – Exploration diamond drilling within custom-built acoustic shed until late August 2022.
  • Site J – Exploration Diamond drilling within custom-built acoustic shed until late October 2022.
  • Site L – Exploration diamond drilling with sound attenuation panels until early October 2022.

Future Exploration Drilling

  • Site B – Exploration Diamond drilling within the custom-built acoustic shed. Commencing mid-November 2022.
  • Site E – Exploration Diamond drilling within the custom-built acoustic shed. Commencing early November.
  • Site C – Exploration Diamond drilling within the custom-built acoustic shed. Commencing late August 2022 (depending on ground conditions, alternate location will be Site D).
  • Site D - Exploration Diamond drilling within the custom-built acoustic shed. Commencing early November 2022.
  • Site H - Exploration Diamond drilling within the custom-built acoustic shed. Commencing early January 2023.

For all future exploration drill sites, drilling will commence during the daytime (7:00am-6:00pm) operating hours, with the intent to extend to continuous drilling (24/7) subject to noise monitoring results and community feedback. Day shift operating hours are 7:00am to 6:30pm and nightshift extends from 7:00pm to 6:30am.

During start-up and throughout the drilling program, FGM personnel will conduct periodic noise monitoring at the site and closest receptors to ensure compliance with regulatory noise limits is maintained. Noise monitoring will be conducted during the daytime (7:00am-6:00pm), evening (6:00pm-10:00pm) and nighttime (10:00pm-7:00am) periods and involves an appropriately trained FGM representative (or contractor) accessing nearby receptors for a period (15-30 minutes) to record noise levels using a calibrated sound meter. Monitoring will assess noise levels from both individual drill rigs and the cumulative contribution of the various rigs operating throughout the program. If you would like noise monitoring to be undertaken at your property please contact a member of the FGM Community Team to have this arranged (see contact details below).

Upon completion, the drill holes will be grouted to 1 m below the surface and then backfilled with native soil/material from the site.

The drill pad area and any vehicle access tracks will be rehabilitated to return the site to its initial condition. Additional information regarding the abandonment of mineral drill holes can be found on the Earth Resources website

FGM aims to minimise any adverse impacts from our operations and exploration activities on nearby residents. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the information provided here, please contact FGM’s Community Team on 03 5439 9000 or email fgm.community@agnicoeagle.com

Current exploration sites

Future exploration sites


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