Resolute increases Syama sulphide production

The Australian-based gold miner produced 37,217 ounces of sulphide gold in the March quarter, showing a 44 per cent improvement over the previous quarter.

Total gold production at Syama increased by 13 per cent to 52,725 ounces.

Resolute’s overall production for the quarter was 85,668 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $US1239 ($1593) per ounce.

This was 5 per cent lower than the previous period.

Resolute stated that the oxide production was below expectations due to ore from the Cashew open pit at Syama being blended with low-grade stockpiles to improve processing.

“Processing volumes, which were affected by material handling issues arising from processing of low-density, sticky ore from Cashew improved as the quarter progressed,” Resolute stated.

The company also continued to progress a power upgrade at Syama during the quarter.

Resolute is constructing the Syama hybrid power station with Aggreko, with key aspects of the station now complete.

This includes construction of the bulk fuel storage facility, with final commissioning activities to be finalised by the end of April.

The bulk storage facility’s capacity will be upgraded from 700,000 litres to four million litres upon completion of the commissioning.

Resolute, meanwhile, saw a 24 per cent decrease in gold poured at the Mako gold mine in Senegal, Africa, compared with the December 2020 quarter.

The company stated this was due to a reduction grade and higher unit costs.

The ore grade reduction was attributed to a cut back of the main pit to extend the mine life.

Resolute produced 32,943 ounces at an AISC of $US1036 per ounce at the Mako mine in the March quarter.

The company is also continuing to explore its options for the sale of the Bibiani gold mine in Ghana, after an agreement with Chifeng Jilong gold Mining was mothballed.