TSX-listed Thor Explorations expects to pour its first gold at its Segilola project in Nigeria before the end of July 2021.
This follows the commencement of the commissioning of its gold processing plant following the successful turning of the mills at Segilola. Remaining work is focused primarily on the gold room, elution and electrowinning circuit, power connection, instrumentation and control installations.
The process plant is being commissioned in phases, with commissioning having already started at the power plant. Commissioning of the SAG & Ball Mills and the crushing section will follow. Thereafter, commissioning will continue with the remaining areas of the process plant.
Mining is underway, with 700 000 tonnes of waste mined and 30 000 tonnes of ore stockpiled in preparation for process plant commissioning. The pit is fully prepared for mining operations, with pre-strip nearing completion. The mining fleet is now fully commissioned and production is expected to quickly ramp up to its design capacity. All the necessary permits are in place and blasting operations have started as Thor Explorations moves into the harder transitional and fresh ore zones.
A catalyst for mining investment in Nigeria
Segun Lawson, president and CEO, stated: “We are pleased to reach this significant milestone on the Segilola gold project. Once again, I would like to thank the entire team, which has done an excellent job amidst the difficult circumstances of the global pandemic to reach this key step in the development of Segilola as we gear up towards production. We continue to work towards, and look forward to, first gold pour before the end of the month.”
Segilola is Nigeria’s first large-scale gold mine and it is hoped that it will lay the foundation for attracting more mining investment in the country. The gold project comprises an indicated resource of 556 000 oz at 4.2 g/t, an inferred resource of 306 000 oz at 4.7 g/t and a probable reserve of 448 000 oz at 4.2 g/t. A 25-year mining license was issued in September 2016.
By Gerard Peter
https://www.miningreview.com/gold/thor-explorations-segilola-nigeria/
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