Modern Mining December 2019

MINING news

Wahgnion now in commercial production

A multi-pit, CIL gold operation, with a plant design modelled after the facility at Teranga’s Sabodala mine in Senegal, Wahgnion will produce an average of 114 koz/a over its current life at an average all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of US$904/ oz. During the first five years, however, it is expected that the mine will produce an average of 132 koz/a at an AISC of US$761/oz. 

TSX-listed Teranga Gold Corporation has announced that as of November 1, 2019 commercial production has been achieved at its second mine, Wahgnion Gold Operations. Teranga’s new mine is expected to achieve the upper end of its 2019 production guidance of 30 000 to 40 000 ounces of gold after achieving first pour ahead of schedule in late August. “The Wahgnion plant is running at or above nameplate capacity, recovery rates are well above 90 %, and costs are track- ing in line with our 2019 guidance. With the successful ramp up to commercial production, Wahgnion is expected to finish the year at the upper end of its production guidance for 2019,” said Paul Chawrun, Teranga’s Chief Operating Officer. “Now that we have achieved commercial produc- tion, in the new year our attention will turn to conducting a reserve development pro- gramme focused on optimising the mine plan and adding reserves to extend the current 13-year mine life.” Located in south-western Burkina Faso,

510 km from the capital, Ouagadougou, and close to the border with Côte d’Ivoire, Wahgnion (previously known as Banfora) was acquired by Teranga in 2016 as part of its acquisition of Australian junior miner, Gryphon Minerals. It has been taken from exploration to production in less than three years without a Lost Time Injury (LTI).

The processing plant at Wahgnion (photo: Teranga).

December 2019  MODERN MINING  11