The company which recently resumed gold mining in Bendigo has told its investors it aims to kick start open pit mining near Dunolly and continue exploration of areas to the west of Bendigo and towards Avoca. 

GBM Gold’s recent quarterly report to shareholders outlined its plan for “geological analysis of exploration targets in the Bendigo Goldfield” over coming months. 

In May this year the state government approved the transfer of Bendigo mining licenses from Unity Mining to GBM. 

Now the company says it is awaiting approval for exploration and mining plans at Harvest Home.

That project – on which GBM has a 50 per cent stake – will encompass and extend the existing bulk sample pit, a company statement said.

“Approximately 44,000 tonnes of ore at an estimated grade of 2.46 [grams per tonne] will be excavated in the next phase of the operation,” the statement read. 

Also among GBM’s planned activities for the September quarter were first year reports on its Queens Birthday project – also near Dunolly – and Wilson Hill, which lies approximately 20 kilometres to the west of Bendigo.

Both of those projects have been granted exploration licences. 

The company said it was awaiting approval of an exploration licence for its Fiddlers Creek Project, south east of Avoca.

But another project in that area will be put up for sale. GBM said that with the purchase of the Bendigo Goldfield a “strategic review of tenements was undertaken”. 

“The Beavis Alluvial Project was identified as a non-core business and the project has been put up for sale complete with freehold land,” the statement read. 

The company said it would focus on geological analysis of exploration targets in the Bendigo Goldfield over coming months.

It also lists planning for production from the coarse sand dam at Kangaroo Flat among upcoming activities. GBM has previously said its two sand dams contain 425,000 tonnes of crushed ore on the site containing an estimated 7000 ounces of gold. 

The ore is contained in two, eight-metre deep “sands dams” which cover seven hectares at the Kangaroo Flat mine.

Community groups opposed to the mine have previously said mining the sand would pose a health risk for people living in the area.

The Bendigo Advertiser could not reach GBM for comment.