Modern Mining May 2018

MINING News

The processing plant at Sissingué achieved an average gold recovery of 97 % in March this year (photo: Perseus).

Perseus Mining’s newest mine makes a strong start

1,36 g/t with an average head grade for the quarter of 1,11 g/t. Similarly, the gold recovery rate improved with an average of 97 % in March 2018 and an average of 94 % for the quarter, 6 % and 3 % respectively above forecast. Throughput rates which averaged 213 t/h in March and 192 t/h for the quarter also improved as the quarter pro- gressed and confidence grew in the plant’s performance. The capital cost of the development of the Sissingué mine and infrastructure, excluding earlyworks but including the cost of operations readiness initiatives, is fore- cast at US$106,7million, in linewith budget. Based on the updated life of mine plan for Sissingué including the nearby Fimbiasso (formerly referred to as Bélé) deposits, estimated gold production totals 358 000 ounces over the life of mine including approximately 80 000 ounces per annum for the first 3,25 years and approximately 70 000 ounces per annum over the full five-year life of mine. An updated life of mine plan reflect- ing actual technical parameters and costs incurred after several months of operation will be published in the September 2018 quarter. 

In its report on the March 2018 quarter, Perseus Mining, listed on the ASX and TSX, notes that a highlight of the reporting period was the development and commis- sioning of its Sissingué gold mine in Côte d’Ivoire ahead of time and on budget. Commercial production at the mine was declared on 1 April. Sissingué produced a total of 9 405 ounces of gold during the quarter after the

first ore was fed to the mill on 13 January 2018, the first gold poured on 26 January and mill performance tests passed on 12 February. As the quarter progressed and greater confidence was developed in the per- formance of all parts of the new plant, the grade of ore feed was progressively increased and in March the average recon- ciled gold head grade of ore processed was field using information from the data- base. BOD has independently acquired a Zimbabwe diamond database and, along with its significant networks, has expertise in diamond exploration, development and mining. “Zimbabwe is a country with excel- lent diamond potential,” comments John Teeling, Chairman of BOD. “Both Botswana Diamonds and Vast Resources have exten- sive experience in and knowledge of the country. It is opening for business and both BOD and Vast are keen to make the most of this opportunity. I look forward to provid- ing our shareholders with further updates in due course.” 

Companies team up to search for diamonds Botswana Diamonds (BOD), the AIM- and BSE-listed explorer, has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Vast Resources. In terms of the MOU, the companies have agreed to exchange information derived from past exploration on areas prospective for diamonds in Zimbabwe and to form a special purpose vehicle, to be jointly owned by each company, for the purpose of devel- oping and exploiting diamond resources in Zimbabwe.

As announced in September 2008, Vast acquired, at that time, a database relat- ing to diamonds in Zimbabwe. Until 2010, Vast carried out its own exploration in the

14  MODERN MINING  May 2018