Review and Update Life of Mine Plan
OceanaGold New Zealand
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
OceanaGold New Zealand engaged our team to review and update the Life of Mine (LOM) plan for the recently commenced Golden Point Underground operation. The project was initiated to address challenging ground conditions, particularly major North–South fault structures, which were constraining development rates and operational efficiency. The engagement focused on optimising mine layouts and infrastructure to minimise fault zone interactions while maintaining production objectives.
Working closely with OGC’s geology, geotechnical, and engineering teams, our consultants conducted a detailed review of existing mine designs, updated resource models, and planned development sequences. Using Deswik.CAD and Deswik.Sched, we prepared revised development and stope designs, integrated alternative capital layouts, and updated the mine schedule. Regular workshops and progress meetings ensured that design decisions, sequencing logic and operational assumptions were fully aligned with OGC’s production and business planning requirements.
The project delivered an optimised eight-year Life of Mine plan featuring multiple simultaneous production areas and a short production tail, while significantly reducing capital development requirements ( approximately 35%). Key infrastructure was repositioned to minimise fault crossings, and primary ventilation and secondary egress networks were redesigned to suit the updated layout. Additional outcomes included identification of future resource drilling opportunities, implementation of a comprehensive naming convention for all development and production areas, and the establishment of a technically robust and economically optimised framework to support ongoing planning and long-term value creation at Golden Point.
“Auryn Mining Advisory was engaged by OceanaGold New Zealand to review and update the Life of Mine plan for the Golden Point Underground operation. Auryn’s technical expertise, combined with their collaborative approach, ensured the project delivered practical and robust solutions within a demanding timeframe.
Their work provided OGC with an optimised mine design and schedule that reduced development requirements, improved operational efficiency, and supported our long-term planning objectives. Auryn demonstrated a clear understanding of our business needs and seamlessly integrated with our internal teams, providing guidance that was both strategic and hands-on.
“Auryn were excellent to work with - professional, responsive, and highly knowledgeable. I would confidently recommend their services to others.”