Modern Mining July 2015

MINING News

Tango to acquire BK11 mine in Botswana from Firestone Tango Mining, listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, has entered into a ‘Sale of Shares and Claims Agreement’ with Firestone Diamonds in terms of which it will acquire the BK11 diamond mine in Botswana. The BK11 mine is a past producing dia- mond project located in the Orapa District of Botswana. Nearby operations include Debswana’s Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa mines and Lucara’s Karowe mine. Tango is currently preparing a comprehen- sive development strategy to reactivate the open-pit mining operation. Tango says that it recognises that by employing autogenous milling, as has been successfully implemented at Karowe, the mine could achieve improved liberation of diamonds and reduce the prob- ability of diamond damage. It could also provide for lower operating costs relative to conventional techniques. Prior to the BK11 mine being put on care and maintenance in February 2012, total expenditures in excess of US$45 million had been invested in capitalised pit development and the processing plant and infrastructure. The BK11 kimberlite has a surface area of 9,8 hectares. There are excellent paved roads and water supply in the area and power is avail- able from the national grid. “Our acquisition of the BK11 mine is another major milestone for Tango follow- ing its acquisition of the African Star Minerals Group in October of last year,” says Terry L. Tucker, Executive Chairman of Tango. “The acquisition will build on our existing portfolio of mining properties and mining service con- tracts in South Africa. Together with our Oena project, our producing alluvial diamond prop- erty located in South Africa, the BK11 mine acquisition will ensure Tango’s presence as a diamond producer in a region renowned for its ability to maintain low cost and high yield diamond producing mines.” 

Earthworks in progress at the Yanfolila gold project site in Mali (photo: Hummingbird Resources).

Positive results from grade control orientation drilling at Yanfolila

UK-based Hummingbird Resources, the West African gold exploration and devel- opment company, has announced a positive update from grade control orien- tation drilling at the Komana East pit, the first area to be targeted for mining at the company’s 1,8 million ounce Yanfolila gold project in Mali. Yanfolila is being devel- oped as a high-grade, low cost gold mine with first production targeted for 2016. Highlights of the drilling include a 68 % higher grade of 5,24 g/t compared to the entire Komana East pit that averages 3,12 g/t; a 15 % increase in the like for like grade over the grade control orientation panel to 5,24 g/t Au; and confirmation of a high-grade zone of 12 200 tonnes at 7,7 g/t Au. In addition, the drilling has con- firmed consistent mineralised host rock unit and mineralisation control through-

out the southern mineable area of the Komana East pit. Comments Dan Betts, CEO of Hum­ mingbird Resources: “The analysis of the infill drilling taken from a section of the first year mining pit at Komana East has shown a consistent increase in grade. This is excellent news, and if continuous throughout the pit could provide sig- nificant economic upside to the already robust project credentials of Yanfolila. We intend to execute a close spaced grade control drill programme across the deposit to confirm these higher grades, prior to the commencement of mining. “On a wider level, plant earthworks are ongoing atYanfolila andwe look forward to updating the market further as we develop Yanfolila as a leading high-grade, low cost gold mining project in West Africa.” 

July 2015  MODERN MINING  5