Modern Mining November 2021

GOLD

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 RC down hole length. All results are based on 1 m composite samples of RC drilling, Au assays values based on fire assay analysis of a 50 gm at New Luika Site Laboratory. A total of 1 515 m of grade control drilling has been completed as part of phase one drilling pro- gramme including:  Hole SGTGC3: 11 m @ 6,64 Au g/t from 10 m  Hole SGTGC7: 10 m @ 6,8 Au g/t from 16 m  Hole SGTGC12: 14 m @ 8,68 Au g/t from 16 m • Including 1 m @ 20,60 g/t from 24 m and 1 m @ 47,60 g/t from 26 m Hole SGTGC20: 8 m @ 24,89 Au g/t from 22 m • Including 1 m @ 10,12 g/t from 24m and 1m @ 182,90 g/t A total of 95 RC grade control holes have been

drilled to date with assay results from 45 holes received thus far. The reported intercepts have widths greater than or equal to 4 m and grade greater than 3,3 g/t. The updated reserves at Gold Tree deposit are expected in Q1 2022. Singida is hosted in a greenstone deposit, lend- ing itself well to upside exploration potential. Future exploration will target the extension of reserves and will be funded by cash flow from production at Singida. Social impact The company says it is extremely proud of the social impact that its projects deliver, and strives to prioritise individuals from the local community in its recruitment process. At New Luika, 99,5% of Shanta’s workforce is Tanzanian, and now at Singida, 100% of its employees and contractors on site (210) are Tanzanian nationals. Additionally, both assets are led by Tanzanian- only management teams. The company has nearly doubled its team in the last year, and all new hires are Tanzanian. The recent appointment of Tanzanian GM, Jiten Divecha, who has 20 years’ experience, including previously as operations manager for Barrick Group in Tanzania, is testimony to this local hiring approach. “We look forward to continuing to support com- munities through our investment in the region,” says Zurrin, who says community investment initiatives have commenced, including the upgrading of roads and surrounding infrastructure, as well as the launch of schools in surrounding villages. On the safety front, the project has maintained a strong health and safety track record with zero LTIs since commencement of construction. 

Key infrastructure such as bulk power, water and buildings are progressing on track.

Key takeaways  Construction at Shanta Gold’s Singida Gold Project in Tanzania remains on track for first production in early 2023, with key project milestones achieved thus far  Open-pit mining operations commenced at the Gold Tree pit on September 15 this year  The company recorded its first successful opencast blast on October 15, 2021  The crushing circuit, designed and manufactured by the Metso Outotec Group, has been completed – shipment started in September, with site delivery expected in November and December 2021

16  MODERN MINING  November 2021