GEMCO removes ore by open-cut strip mining. Where possible, the mining sequence is a continuous cycle; areas from which ore has been extracted are backfilled with overburden from the next strip to be mined. This method results in the mining site moving across the ore body, minimising the area of land disturbance at any given time.

In preparation for mining, vegetation is cleared from the site using a Komatsu D85 bulldozer with a specialized rake and scrub canopy. Topsoil is removed using front end loaders and trucks, and hauled directly to an area prepared for rehabilitation or to a stockpile for later use.

Overburden is removed to expose the manganese ore and facilitate rehabilitation of the disturbed area at a later date. Removal of overburden is undertaken primarily using D11R dozers in a strip mining process.

Exposed manganese ore is then drilled and blasted to ensure suitable fragmentation for mining and subsequent crushing processes.

Mining of blasted manganese ore is undertaken using a RH120C O&K excavator in conjunction with a fleet of Komatsu 785 dump trucks. Mined ore is stockpiled at the ROM prior to being blended and loaded into the Primary Crusher Station for processing.

Upon the completion of mining activities, recontouring of disturbed land is undertaken and topsoil is replaced in preparation for seeding. Planting utilises collected native seeds and produced seedlings. Following planting, weed management within rehabilitated areas becomes the priority.

The rehabilitation program at GEMCO is regarded as best practice in Northern Australia. The program is undertaken by a group of local Anindilyakwa people as part of our Aboriginal Employment Strategy.