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July 2015
MODERN MINING
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MINING News
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-
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).
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.”
Positive results from grade control
orientation drilling at Yanfolila