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August 2017
MODERN MINING
5
MINING News
Canada’s Roxgold Inc has announced sec-
ond quarter (Q2) production of 27 970
ounces of gold from its Yaramoko under-
ground gold mine located in the Houndé
greenstone region of Burkina Faso.
Yaramoko is a new mine which produced
its first gold in May last year.
During the quarter, Yaramoko mined
66 044 tonnes of ore at 11,69 g/t Au with
2 085 m of development completed. The
plant processed 65 159 tonnes at an aver-
age head grade of 12,78 g/t Au. Plant
availability was 94 % and overall recov-
ery was 99,0 % during the quarter. Similar
grades are anticipated to be mined in Q3
with higher grade material scheduled for
the latter part of the year.
By the end of the quarter, underground
development had reached the 5083 RL,
some 230 m below surface. Waste devel-
opment continues to exceed plan and is
providing a significant amount of flexibility
to the operation going forward. With seven
stoping faces operating at quarter end, the
mine is well positioned to deliver in the
second half of 2017, as well as in 2018 and
beyond.
Roxgold is planning to expand opera-
tions at Yaramoko by developing the
Bagassi South deposit, which is located less
than 2 km from the current (55 Zone) mine.
During the quarter, the company pro-
gressed the Bagassi South feasibility study
on a number of fronts. Highlights from
the work plan of Q2 included: commence-
ment of construction works associated
with the camp expansion to accommodate
construction and additional future opera-
tional personnel; and the completion of a
programme to increase the capacity of the
existing water storage facility to augment
plant water supply.
During the quarter, Roxgold completed
an infill and expansion drilling programme
at Bagassi South. It has since published
an updated Mineral Resource Estimate
(MRE) which details an indicated mineral
resource of approximately 352 000 tonnes
at 16,6 g/t Au for 188 000 ounces and an
inferred resource of approximately 130 000
tonnes at 16,6 g/t Au for 69 000 ounces.
The updated MRE will be incorporated
into the feasibility study for the Bagassi
The processing plant at Roxgold’s Yaramoko gold mine in Burkina Faso (photo: Roxgold).
Solid quarterly performance by Yaramoko
South expansion project which is due to
be completed in Q4.
“Another solid quarter of production
above expectations at Yaramoko has put
us on track to meet the upper end of our
annual production guidance,” commented
John Dorward, President and CEO of
Roxgold. “With first half production of over
63 500 ounces, we are well placed to meet
guidance of 105 000 to 115 000 ounces
for the full year. In addition, the feasibility
study for our Bagassi South expansion proj-
ect is on track for delivery in Q4 and we are
excited by its prospects to build upon the
recently upgraded resource estimate.”
Namibian tantalite mine to increase production
Kennedy Ventures, an AIM-quoted invest-
ment company, which – through its stake
in African Tantalum (Aftan) – has an interest
in the Namibia Tantalite Investments (NTI)
mine (historically referred to as the‘Tantalite
Valley Mine’) in Namibia, has raised £3,75
million through a share placing.
Larry Johnson, CEO of Kennedy Ven
tures, commented: “I am very pleased with
the support we have received from our
existing and new shareholders which will
allow Aftan to accelerate plans to increase
production as well as increase our tanta-
lum resource and life of mine and complete
a lithium JORC resource report. Having
worked in the tantalum business for over
35 years, I am confident in my view that
NTI represents one of the finest grade
mines globally and this has played a part
in helping us secure and execute a long-
term supply agreement with a global North
American leading tantalum consumer and
end user of tantalum ore.
“NTI is one of the highest-grade mines
in the world and, following upgrades in H1
2017, we are now capable of meeting the
customer’s grade specifications. The fund
raise will enable Aftan to implement fur-
ther plant upgrades with the expectation
of ramping up to 30 tonnes per quarter and
beyond long term.”
The upgrades will include the purchase
of a variety of equipment to increase
plant capability such as a new Tornado
crusher, a fines recovery plant and con-
veyor belts. Aftan also intends enhancing
the operational effectiveness of the mine
by purchasing winches, water and air pip-
ing, explosives, a dump truck and a mining
chute and platform.