Ramelius discovered the deposit in 2005 and began mining in March 2006. After two periods of open-pit mining in 2006 and 2008–09, underground development commenced in May 2009. The company expects high grade underground ore to be available for milling in December 2009.[3][needs update]
The ore was treated at the Burbanks Treatment Plant, 65 km from Wattle Dam. Ramelius purchased the plant in November 2006 for A$2.8 million. Ramelius spent a further $1.3 million on refurbishing the facility, which has a capacity to treat up to 180,000 tonnes of ore per annum.[2] When not used for Wattle Dam ore, the facility toll treats third party ore, for example from July to September 2009.[4] Before the purchase of Burbanks, Ramelius had its ore treated at the plant of the Higginsville Gold Mine, owned by Avoca Resources.[5]
Ramelius made headlines in 2009 when it became engaged in a bitter dispute with Avoca Resources Limited over conflicting takeover bids for Dioro Exploration NL.[6][7] Avoca eventually had to drop its bid for Dioro,[8] having reached a 44.85% interest in Dioro at the close of the offer on 20 August, short of the 50% needed.[9] Ramelius's offer for the company closes on 8 February 2010. Avoca made a renewed takeover offer for the company in late December 2009.[10] Avoca eventually succeeded in its bid for Dioro and, on 21 April 2010, Dioro was delisted from the ASX.[11]
The mine ceased production in 2012, having produced 213,650 ounces of gold from its underground operations between 2006 and 2012, reaching a depth of 365 metres, and at a grade of 14.9 grams per tonne. Open pit mining at Wattle Dam, which finished in 2008, produced a further 52,700 ounces, at a grade of 5.3 grams per tonne. Both the underground and surface mining grade is considered high by industry standards.[12]
Ramelius purchased the Hill 50 Gold Mine from Harmony Gold for A$40 million in July 2010,[13] and eventually opted to focus on this operation instead.[12]
Ramelius sold the mine to Tychean Resources in 2013 who, in turn, sold the mine on to Maximus Resources two years later.[12]
