Barkerville Gold Mines Infrastructure: Key Developments by RAM Excavating

RAM Excavating completed the entire surface infrastructure package for Barkerville Gold Mines’ underground gold mining operation near Wells, BC. This work encompassed all the essential components that an underground mine relies on, including portal excavation and the supporting pad, mine access, haul roads, and the installation of settling and water-management ponds, as well as storm drainage throughout the site. Project superintendent Rodney Mickey collaborated directly with the client throughout the full construction process, which spanned fourteen months.

Working on a remote site presents unique challenges, as every convenience is stripped away. Materials, fuel, and crews must be transported, with no nearby supply house or opportunity for re-mobilization. All activities conducted by RAM Excavating adhered strictly to the owner’s safety and environmental management systems. Water management was particularly critical, as the settling pond needed to protect downstream resources. The project successfully ran for fourteen months across two winters without a recordable incident.

On Site

Settling Pond Liner Installation

Liner placement and inspection on a settling pond is crucial for effective water management, a main focus for Barkerville Gold Mines. This process is vital as it safeguards everything downstream from the gold mining infrastructure, and is thoroughly checked before it is covered by RAM Excavating.

Settling Pond Cleaning

Pond cleaning at Barkerville Gold Mines involves utilizing a Komatsu excavator to load an articulated rock truck. When working adjacent to water, all safety controls are in place—fall protection at the edge, life ring, and PFDs are staged within reach, with a spotter posted to ensure safety, reflecting the diligent practices of RAM Excavating in maintaining gold mining infrastructure.

Portal Excavation

A RAM Excavating machine is working inside the portal alongside the ventilation duct run. This is the critical surface-to-portal interface that Barkerville Gold Mines depends on: if built incorrectly, every tonne that leaves the underground gold mining infrastructure will be negatively impacted.

Haul Roads and Erosion Control

A rock truck operates on a completed haul road at Barkerville Gold Mines, where straw wattles and sediment control measures line the shoulder. In the realm of gold mining infrastructure, a haul road that fails significantly disrupts operations, which is why it is designed to support loaded trucks throughout every season, reflecting the diligent efforts of RAM Excavating in its construction.