Medusa Mining’s Philippines operating company, Philsaga Mining Corporation (PMC), has completed an upgrade to the L8 Shaft at the Co-O Gold Project in northeast Mindanao. The upgrade has been completed and commissioned on schedule and the Level 8 underground operations resumed on afternoon shift on January 13.

The key benefits of the upgrade are: 

* An increase in the total haulage capacity of the mine to approximately 60,000 dry tonnes per month, from approximately 45,000 dry tonnes per month, through the replacement of the previous 3.6 tonne skips with 4.8 tonne skips. The L8 Shaft hauls material from Levels 6, 7 and 8. 

* Improved men and materials handling through the installation of double man cages (replacing single man cages) which will reduce travel time to work places on Levels 6, 7 and 8.

Medusa’s CEO Geoff Davis says, “This is an important step in improving the efficiency and capacity of the Co-O mine. We are currently working on formulating and designing the life of mine haulage requirements and anticipate providing an update in late February to mid-March.”