Northern Star Resources Ltd. told Westgold Resources Ltd.'s mining contractor unit Australian Contract Mining Pty. Ltd. that it will terminate the HBJ mining contract effective Dec. 23, without giving a reason.
Australian Contract Mining continued to provide complete mine development and production services at HBJ following the sale of the South Kalgoorlie operations in Western Australia to Northern Star.
Additionally, Westgold said Nov. 13 it hit first ore at its Big Bell underground mine, part of its Central Murchison gold property in Western Australia. This is a milestone for the ramp up in its Cue gold operations in the region, as it has been dewatering and refurbishing the Big Bell underground mine for over two years.
Westgold expects a neutral impact on its earnings from the early contract termination.
