Modern Mining October 2016

MINING News

Yaramoko gold mine achieves commercial production Roxgold Inc, listed on the TSXVenture Exchange, reports that commer- cial production at the Yaramoko gold mine in Burkina Faso has been achieved, effective October 1, 2016. “We are pleased to have reached yet another significant mile- stone at Yaramoko and look forward to continuing our track record of meeting expectations and to a bright future. Total gold production at Yaramoko reached 47 469 ounces at an average mill feed grade of 15,6 grams per tonne as of September 30, 2016,” commented John Dorward, Roxgold’s President and CEO. “Bringing Yaramoko into pro- duction ahead of schedule and under budget is an achievement we can all be proud of, and I want to thank Roxgold’s employees and con- tractors for their continuing hard work and dedication.” From July 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016, Yaramoko produced 32 987 ounces of gold. During the same period, 34 594 ounces were sold at an average realised price of US$1 334 per ounce. The second stope (MD_5219-53) was extracted successfully in September 2016. This double height stope remained stable and dilu- tion, at 17,9 %, was below the Feasibility Study assumption of 20,5 %. The first stope (MD_5219-38) has been filled with cemented rock fill in preparation for the extraction of the adjoining stope. Roxgold says it is encouraged by the efficiency with which stoping operations have been established at Yaramoko.  Mineralisation occurs in three zones identified to date: theWestern shear zone, a Central sandstone and granite contact zone, and an Eastern granite contact zone. Further drilling is planned which will test all three zones and mineralisation is still open at depth and along strike.  Moabsvelden granted water licence Keaton Energy reports that its Moabsvelden project has been granted an Integrated Water Use Licence by the Department of Water and Sanitation. The project is now fully permitted, having already been awarded its Mining Right and environ- mental authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management Act. Moabsvelden is adjacent to Keaton’s existing successful, long-lifeVanggatfontein colliery andwill benefit from shared infra- structure and reduced operating costs. It is envisaged that some 4 Mt/year of coal will be produced from the combined operation. “We are pleased that the Integrated Water Use Licence has been awarded,”said Mandi Glad, Keaton’s CEO.“We can now final- ise offtake negotiations with the various parties who expressed an interest in purchasing coal fromMoabsvelden. This in turn will allow the washing plant configuration to be finalised and funding for the development to be closed.”  The Akwasiso target is situated immediately north-east of the Nkran Extension deposit and the Tailings Storage Facility. The target sits on the company’s existing Abriem mining lease, but until recently had been designated as ‘small mining concessions’ and owned by small scale alluvial miners. Asanko Gold acquired the concessions, which had been previously explored by a prior operator, earlier this year. 

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