Modern Mining August 2018

MINING News

Metalkol secures electricity supply for its DRC operations Metalkol SA, a major cobalt and copper tailings reprocessing proj- ect and a low-cost hydro-metallurgical facility owned by Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), has signed an agreement to secure electricity supply to its operations in the DRC for up to ten years. The contract was agreed with Société National d’Electricité (SNEL), the national electricity company of the DRC; the Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC), a Zambian-incorporated power transmission, generation and distribution company, which is a major developer of energy infrastructure in Africa; and Rawbank, a top commercial bank in the DRC. The agreement to supply electricity consists of two phases: the first will run until Q2 2019 with a supply of 62 MWdelivered. Following this, the power supply will ramp up to 78 MW per year during the second phase and for the remainder of the contract. Comments Benedikt Sobotka, CEO of Eurasian Resources Group: “This is an important milestone in the progress of the Metalkol project, a unique development for the global battery industry. It is an example of sustainable and environmentally conscious treatment of the local environment, and of our wider strategic ambitions in Africa. Together with our partners, who are vital companies in their respective coun- tries, we have found an effective solution to guarantee a reliable electricity supply, which has previously been an issue in the region.” 

Metalkol operates a major cobalt and copper tailings reprocessing project and a low-cost hydro-metallurgical facility near Kolwezi in the DRC (photo: Metalkol). Roxgold awards mining contract African Underground Mining Services (AUMS), a 50:50 joint ven- ture between ASX-listed Ausdrill Limited and Barminco Holdings, has been awarded a contract by TSX-listed Roxgold to provide mining services at its Yaramoko gold mine in Burkina Faso. The Yaramoko property is situated in the Houndé greenstone belt region, approximately 200 km south-west from the capital city of Ouagadougou. It hosts two gold deposits: the 55 Zone, a fully underground mine which is currently in production, and Bagassi South, which is currently in development. The contract covers the rollover/extension of services at the Zone 55 mine and also the commencement of works for the Bagassi Southmine. The contract has an estimated value of US$160 million and is expected to start in Q3, 2018. The project will employ approximately 300 people including 225 Burkinabe employees. 

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