JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Stoping operations have started ahead of schedule at LSE-listed Acacia Mining’s Gokona Underground gold project, in Tanzania, with the first ore having been delivered to the process plant.
The gold miner said on Tuesday that the first stope had, to date, demonstrated the expected geotechnical characteristics and delivered both grade and ore tonnes in line with the mine plan.
“We continue to expect a progressive increase in tonnes from the project as it ramps up through the year and maintain our current expectations for production from the Gokona Underground for the full year,” it added.
Gokona Underground, which formed part of Acacia’s larger North Mara mine, was expected to produce 450 000 oz of gold over a five-year life span, with all-in sustaining costs of below $750/oz.
The company previously said that production at North Mara, for the five years, would comprise a blend of high-grade underground material from Gokona and openpit material from the Nyabirama pit, enabling North Mara to sustain production rates in excess of 250 000 oz/y of gold.