A Record of Decision (ROD) for the plan of operations for the Goldrush underground mine at the Cortez Complex in Nevada was issued to Nevada Gold Mines (NGM) by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on Dec. 11.

Barrick Gold wrote in a release that the mine is expected to start ramping up production in 2024 after the commissioning of the initial project infrastructure and is forecast to produce 130,000 oz in 2024 and grow to approximately 400,000 oz/year by 2028.

Barrick and NGM have invested more than $370 million in the project to date and the company anticipates spending a total of approximately $1 billion (100 percent basis) to get to planned production. Recruitment is being ramped up and the delivery of production equipment is on track.

The issuance of the ROD follows a multi-year consultation and independent impacts analysis process pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, which included specialist environmental studies. In the course of the analyses, all stakeholders were given the opportunity to engage with NGM and contribute to the outcome.

It is anticipated that Goldrush will create a total of approximately 500 jobs during construction and 570 new jobs during operations. Additionally, Goldrush will generate hundreds of millions of dollars in net proceeds tax and gold and silver excise taxes, the latter of which are earmarked for education in Nevada.

NGM, majority-owned and operated by Barrick Gold Corporation, is the world’s largest gold production complex. Barrick president and chief executive Mark Bristow said the addition of Goldrush would not only expand an asset base that already hosts three Tier One2 mines but was a clear indication of the complex’s enormous potential for continuing growth.