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GOLD
November 2015
MODERN MINING
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by 9 % on the previous quarter. Total cash costs
increased to US$861/oz (Q2 2015: US$594/oz)
on the back of the lower production.
Preparation for the Domba project – Domba
is a satellite deposit of Morila – continued dur-
ing the quarter. The feasibility report for the
project has been submitted to the government,
and the mine is expecting to obtain authorisa-
tion for the immediate start of the project with
first delivery of ore to the plant expected in
Q4 2015. Mining the Domba pit is expected
to add an additional three months of higher
grade ore.
Tongon produced 63 519 oz of gold in Q3
2015, 16 % higher than the previous quar-
ter, primarily as a result of a 10 % increase
in tonnes processed. Recovery continues to
show an upward trend quarter on quarter with
a further 1,8 % improvement achieved in Q3
as a result of further stabilisation of the new
rougher flotation circuit. Optimising the mass
pull and concentrate grade from the rougher
and scavenger cells and improvement in the
Ultra-Fine-Grind (UFG) operation is expected
to improve recovery further.
Kibali produced 160 065 oz in Q3, a decrease
of 4 % compared to the prior quarter, following
the planned 12 % drop in head grade milled,
partially offset by increased throughput. The
increased throughput reflected the continued
A blast at the Kibali mine.
Kibali production decreased
by 4 % to 160 065 ounces
during the quarter following
a planned 12 % drop in head
grade milled, partially offset
by increased throughput.
Randgold joins Exploration Initiative
As part of its exploration effort, Randgold has joined the West African
Exploration Initiative (WAXI) to tap into its research programme, now in its
ninth year, for additional information which its generative team can lever
age to expand its data foundation.
Group Exploration Manager Joel Holliday says there is still a dearth of
basic geological knowledge about Africa’s most prospective gold regions,
so Randgold is investing in fundamental research to improve its under
standing of mineralisation controls and other exploration factors.
“We know we’re looking in the right areas, but we want to sharpen up
our ability to spot the unique anomalies that signal world-class deposits,”
he says.
steady operation of the plant with increases
in plant availability. The 1 % drop in recover-
ies reflected the change in ore feed, including
additional transitional material from the Mengu
Hill pit.
Total cash costs for the quarter increased
on the back of lower gold production from
US$553/oz in Q2 to US$634/oz in the current
quarter.
The first phase of Ambarau, the second
hydropower station at Kibali, was completed
and commissioning is currently in progress.
The mine’s energy efficiency has increased this
quarter as a result of the improved hydropower
performance.
Photos courtesy of Randgold Resources