• PROJECTS AND EXPLORATION
definition drilling at our Segele gold deposit is an important step in our strategy to drastically increase the resources at Segele and move towards mining . This doubling of operational activity also allows us to increase the confidence in the resources and extract samples for metallurgical testing , both vital contributions to the ongoing the Scoping Study and anticipated Preliminary Feasibility Study .”, says Jørgen Evjen , CEO of Akobo Minerals .
The contract allows for a minimum of 3 000m of core to be drilled and for extensions in increments of 3 000m . The drilling contractor is expected to drill a minimum of 1 000m per month .
The first , company-owned drill rig is currently undergoing maintenance and is expected to be operational within a short period of time . Hence it is expected that the company soon will be drilling simultaneously at Segele and Joru .
Meanwhile new assay results at Segele gold project have demonstrated that the high-grade mineralisation extends to at least 145m and quite possibly deeper
Akobo Minerals released the result of the Segele Mineral Resource Estimate in April 2021 ( Inferred Mineral Resource totalling 52,410oz at an average grade of 20.9g / t ). The resource estimate covered mineralisation in a narrow high-grade shoot from 30m at the shallowest to 130m at the deepest .
According to Akobo CEO Jørgen Evjen the latest assays support Akobo ’ s continuing belief that the Segele mineralisation can support small-scale mining and that there are deeper high-grade gold zones to be discovered .
“ These results will inevitably form an important part of an updated Mineral Resource Estimate and now that we have doubled our core drilling capacity , we are optimistic about finding further extensions of the Segele resource in the near term . In the coming weeks , the results of our Scoping Study will be released which will provide public details of the operating and capital expenditure required for the Segele Mine ,” says Evien .
The Segele gold deposit was first discovered by Akobo Minerals geologists and previous assays from core-drilling have demonstrated a narrow ( about 5-15m wide ) gold zone . The gold is often present as large grains easily visible to the naked eye .
To-date more than 4555m of core drilling has been completed at the Segele site , significant portions of which has now all been assayed .
The Segele gold deposit is just one target in the 100 % owned 182km2 exploration license under investigation by Akobo Minerals . The next priority target for drilling , Joru , is prospective for low grade-high tonnage mineralisation and RC drilling has returned results including : 3.1g / t over 2m and 3.1g / t over 1m . The drilling programme at Joru is underway and initial results are expected to be released in the coming weeks . In addition to Segele and Joru , Akobo geologists believe a large number of gold exploration targets exist in this unexplored region of Ethiopia .
10 • African Mining • September 2021
KINROSS GETS CERTAINTY AT TASIAST
• Location : Mauritania
• Phase : Development
• Resource : Gold
TSX-listed Kinross Gold Corporation has announced that the company signed a definitive agreement with the government of Mauritania to provide enhanced certainty on its Tasiast gold mine in Mauritania .
Mauritania ’ s Minister of Petroleum , Mines and Energy , Abdessalem Ould Mohamed Saleh , reiterated the government ’ s solidarity and support for the company during his two-day visit to Tasiast in late June 2021 .
During his visit the Minister met with Kinross officials and toured the mine , including the area of the recent mill fire , and was briefed on the progress of the 24k expansion project .
Kinross and the government are focused on the goal of restarting milling operations at Tasiast and are prioritising efforts and processes to achieve this shared objective .
Tasiast Sud is not included in this simplified agreement and is not part of the 24k expansion project , Tasiast ’ s current life of mine production plan and Kinross ’ mineral reserve and resource estimates . Kinross and the Government will continue to focus on the shared goal of restarting the Tasiast mill and discussions respecting the prospective Tasiast Sud area are expected to continue .
“ We are pleased to finalise the balanced agreement with the Government of Mauritania to further strengthen our longstanding and constructive relationship ,” said J . Paul Rollinson , Kinross Gold President and CEO . “ We look forward to continue delivering strong results at Tasiast for the benefit of both Kinross and Mauritania .”
“ The completion of this agreement is a testament to the quality of the strategic partnership between the Government of Mauritania and Kinross . The agreement is also indicative of the Government ’ s commitment and focus on attracting responsible , experienced , and long-term private sector partners in Mauritania to carry out projects that advance the country ’ s development and provide benefits to its people ,” said Minister Saleh .
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