Modern Mining January 2022

for Shanta Gold

reaffirming the strength of the asset’s production profile, particularly for the first 18 – 24 months of production,” says Zurrin. The grade control RC holes at Singida were drilled at an inclined angle of minus 53° with hole depth ranging from 10 m to a maximum of 46 m. Infill grade control RC holes were drilled to cover a spac- ing of 15 m along the strike and 10 m along the dip and a vertical depth of 20 m was covered during the programme. The true widths of mineralisation are estimated to be approximately 85 – 90% of the intercept of

Annual production for the first seven years is expected to average 32 000 oz. A cut-off grade of 1 g/t has been utilised for each of the deposits. There are lower grade areas that currently fall out- side the mine plan, but which could be mined with no additional development, thereby providing gold price optionality. Engineered pit shell designs have been developed based on a long-term gold price of US$1 350 per oz. Mining activities at Singida will uti- lise conventional open-pit mining methods. Total resources that presently sit outside of the reserves-based project economics amount to 9,8 Mt grading 2,11 g/t for 664 000 oz and these will be explored following the commencement of gold pro- duction, expected in late 2022. Pit shell designs have been developed based on a long-term gold price of US$1 350 per oz. In the current gold price environment, these factors provide significant scope for additional ounces to be brought into the mine plan in the future. Grade control drilling Meanwhile, strong results from the grade control drilling programme have further increased confi- dence in the strength of the production profile at Singida. “Our grade control drilling programme is a core driver of value for the project – it increases our confidence in the quality and grade of the ore. The results thus far have been highly encouraging,

Above: Primary crusher retaining wall under construction.

Centre: Construction of CIL (carbon-in-leach) tanks in progress.

Construction of the primary crusher retaining wall forging ahead on site.

January 2022  MODERN MINING  31