Despite metal market uncertainties, Colorado-based Apollo Gold is moving ahead with its Timmins-area efforts, having recently begun development work on the Black Fox Project.
Apollo has started removing glacial till material which is overlaying the projected open pit area, a process which is due to be complete in May 2009. Mining of this open pit is expected to begin several months prior, in March 2009.
Mining equipment for the project has already been put on order, with all the necessary mining material slated to arrive on site by January or February 2009.
All the necessary permits have also been received in recent months, including for the closure plan and industrial sewage works, and to take water.
By the second quarter of 2009, the open pit is expected to produce 1,500 tonnes of ore per day, which would be sufficient to feed the company's fully owned mill. As such, underground mining is being deferred until after 2009.