Firefinch commences opencast mining at Morila Gold Mine

Mining is underway at Morila Pit 5, a mining area located on the western margin of the Morila Super Pit. Malian owned and operated contractor EGTF have mobilised a new 100 t class fleet, completed all mining preparatory works (including re-establishment of the haul road to the crushers), and commenced mining and haulage to the crusher run of mine (RoM) stockpiles.

Work to date has been undertaken injury and incident free, with production levels exceeding plan. Approximately 100 000 t of Morila Pit 5 ore have already been hauled to RoM stockpiles. This complements approximately 530 000 t of ore mechanically mined from the tailings facility already stockpiled. The stockpiled ore will be the feed used to commission the recently refurbished plant comminution circuit. Commissioning of the comminution circuit will commence later this month.

Morila Pit 5 has an indicated and inferred mineral resource of 840 000 t at 1.1g/t and ore reserves have not been declared. An ore reserve estimate will be disclosed once current drilling has been incorporated into an upgraded mineral resource estimate.

Dr Michael Anderson, Firefinch’s Managing Director, comments:

“It is very exciting to be off and running with our first opencast mining operation at Morila. The location of Pit 5 right next to our operating processing plant, combined with recent drilling results that enhanced economics, made it a compelling opportunity to fast-track first production before we commence mining at our other satellite deposits. Importantly all the work has been undertaken safely, and it is very pleasing to have engaged the Malian owned and operated contractor EGTF, to resume mining at Morila Pit 5. Having taken these first steps, we of course remain very focussed on the main prize – bringing the Morila Super Pit back into operation.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/14052021/firefinch-commences-opencast-mining-at-morila-gold-mine/