Modern Mining August 2017

MINING News

The processing plant at Roxgold’s Yaramoko gold mine in Burkina Faso (photo: Roxgold).

Solid quarterly performance by Yaramoko

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

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.” 

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-

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.

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. 

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-

August 2017  MODERN MINING  5