The Madsen Mine, located in Ontario’s prolific Red Lake gold district, is preparing for a long-awaited resurgence—this time with a smarter, more strategic approach. Despite its rich legacy and location in one of Canada’s most productive gold regions, previous efforts to revive Madsen fell short, hindered by technical missteps and operational inefficiencies.
Now, under the leadership of West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. (WRLG), the mine is undergoing a comprehensive transformation aimed at correcting past errors and building a sustainable, efficient operation. With a clear development plan, extensive drilling, and upgraded infrastructure, Madsen is positioned to become a high-performing gold producer.
A Proven Region, A New Approach
Red Lake has yielded more than 30 million ounces of gold over its history, earning a reputation for high-grade deposits and reliable geology. Yet success in this region depends heavily on adhering to specific mining methodologies—something past operators at Madsen overlooked.
One key lesson involves drilling density. The former operator relied on drill spacing of approximately 20 metres—an approach ill-suited to the narrow-vein geology typical of Red Lake. WRLG, learning from this mistake, has adopted the regional standard of 7-metre drill spacing to define mineable resources more accurately.
The company has already completed 90,000 metres of definition drilling to support its initial 18 months of production and plans to continue this intensive drilling program throughout the mine’s lifespan. This level of geological understanding is expected to reduce operational risk and improve predictability.
Development-Driven Efficiency
Access to multiple work areas is crucial for efficiently mining narrow high-grade veins. To meet this need, WRLG has prioritized underground development well in advance. By driving tunnels to key zones 6 to 12 months ahead of active mining, the company ensures readiness for both drilling and extraction.
This proactive approach—already in progress for more than 18 months—allows Madsen to support simultaneous operations in several locations, improving workflow and reducing delays.
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