The Bomboré Mine in Burkina Faso has poured its first gold, according to a statement from the Orezone Gold Corporation.
Orezone’s Burkina Faso Country Manager, Ousseni Derra and VP, Project Development, Ricardo Rodrigues holding the first gold doré bar from the Bomboré Mine. Image Credit: Orezone Gold Corporation
The Bomboré Mine was built on schedule, within budget, and without any lost time events. The process plant was put into operation in late July, and ore was added to the circuit at the end of August.
The facility is still running well, all systems are working as they should, and gold recoveries are slightly higher than expected. Currently, directly tipped ore from the pits and stockpiles at the ROM pad are used as mill feed. The mine is operating as projected, and mining activity will speed up until commercial production begins in early Q4 of 2022.
I want to give recognition and thanks to the entire Bomboré team for their extraordinary efforts in achieving this important milestone of first gold. The team exceeded expectations by delivering the plant construction under budget in a period marked by rapid inflation and COVID-related disruptions.
Patrick Downey, President and CEO, Orezone Gold Corporation
Patrick Downey adds, “This team includes our employees, communities, consultants, contractors, and local businesses under the guidance and direction of the Bomboré site leadership in conjunction with Lycopodium, our EPCM contractor. In a short span of twenty months, we have successfully financed and constructed this greenfield project, mined over 15.7 million tonnes of material, including 5.8 million tonnes of ore, while maintaining the health and safety of our workforce.”
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to congratulate management and the entire Orezone organization in becoming West Africa’s newest gold producer. Their exemplary work to overcome unprecedented challenges in logistics, supply chain issues, rising input prices and amid the COVID pandemic is a testament of their unwavering commitment to the project.
Michael Halvorson, Chairman of the Board, Orezone Gold Corporation
Michael Halvorson states, “I also want to acknowledge our lending partners and shareholders, whose strong support has allowed the Bomboré Mine to be built. We are now well-positioned to generate meaningful cashflows to assist with our future Phase II sufide expansion and to provide sustainable benefits to our local communities and host country, and enduring employment to our Burkinabé workforce.”