GBF/Macmahon, will re-establish the existing decline for mechanised use at Bellevue, which will also enable it to construct underground drilling platforms. These will accelerate the infill drilling programme and reduce costs associated with drilling the resource.

Bellevue managing director, Steve Parsons said the decision to begin early works at Bellevue was part of the company's strategy to push ahead with development of the project in parallel with the exploration and resource growth programmes.

"We are advancing early-stage development work such as preliminary surface infrastructure and the decline in parallel with mining studies and exploration because that will maximise our ability to create value for shareholders as quickly as possible," Parsons said.

"Our strategy is aimed at capitalising on the strong gold price by starting production as soon as commercially and technically possible while at the same time, continuing to grow and upgrade the resource. We believe that combination will deliver the most upside for Bellevue shareholders in the shortest time."

As part of its contract, GBF/Macmahon is to establish the portal and decline to the take-off point to the high-grade Viago and Deacon lodes, as well as drill platforms and to install required underground infrastructure, and power.

Bellevue Gold will also build non-processing infrastructure including a camp, road upgrades, power, and communication upgrades as part of early works programmes.

Portal support works have recently been completed in readiness for the underground mining contractor to establish the new portal with onsite contractors performing the works as per the geotechnical guidelines recently established. Additional infrastructure projects are occurring in parallel with the establishment of power generation and electrical distribution to allow the works to commence.

Underground works will involve the establishment of a new 5.5m wide and 5.8m high decline through a new portal in the footwall of the mineralised zones in the Paris pit to join in with the historical excavations. The historical decline excavations will be stripped out (historical decline is on average 4.2m wide by 4.2m high) to accommodate future development equipment.

Ground support will consist of standard galvanised rock bolts (split set friction bolts) and mesh as per the updated ground control management plan.

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