Highlights:
- Abujar processing plant and tailings storage facility (TSF) fully operational.
- 4.5 million tpy SAG Mill and CIL processing system in wet commissioning with up to 10 kt/d low grade pre-striping material.
- All critical spares and reagents are on site.
- Open-cast mining stockpiles building with more than 15 000 t/day of ore being added to the run-of-mine (ROM) pad.
- Constructed on budget and schedule – build achieved in less than 12 months and fully funded with no debt and zero hedging.
- First gold pour expected within 10 days.
- Abujar DFS forecast 260 000 oz gold in its first year of production.
Tietto Managing Director, Dr Caigen Wang, said:
“To build a gold mine the size of Abujar in less than 12 months is a monumental achievement.
“To do it during COVID with supply chain issues, escalated pricing and skilled people shortage made it, almost, mission impossible. Our in-house construction team has demonstrated it can be delivered through careful planning, diligent management and hard work.
“What a great team and achievement led by the captain, our COO Mr. Matthew Wilcox.
“I would like to thank our mine construction team, ESG team, mining team, contractors and consultants, local communities, government authorities at various levels and many more.
“We would also like to thank our shareholders who have put us in a position where we have no debt, zero hedging and in a position to produce approximately 260 000 oz in the first 12 months of production once we reach commercial production.”