Loulo Underground
LOULO UNDERGROUND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Yalea
During the third quarter of 2008 the Loulo underground section developed a total of 852 metres and mined a total of 43 774 tonnes of ore at a grade of 4.28g/t.
The table below shows a summary of the year to date production of the underground section:
|
|
Development |
Ore |
Grade |
Ounces |
Total |
|
Q1 |
735 |
- |
- |
- |
45 974 |
|
Q2 |
1 048 |
5 605 |
2.31 |
416 |
71 157 |
|
Q3 |
852 |
43 774 |
4.28 |
6 020 |
85 352 |
|
Total |
2 635 |
49 379 |
4.06 |
6 436 |
202 483 |
The Yalea twin declines have now been advanced to a distance of 950 metres from surface and a vertical depth of 160 metres. Overall project development to date for the underground section is 3 253 metres.
The focus during this quarter has been on developing the 28 and 12 Level strike drives as well as establishing the first longhole stoping face between these levels. This critical development will serve as the main access and drawpoint level for the section’s mining area during 2009.
Enhancement work on the twin declines, construction work on the permanent water handling system and the concrete tunnels inside the boxcut continued during the quarter. Both concrete tunnels were completed and conveyor installation commenced, with the underground belt having been installed and now operational. It is expected that the overland conveyor will be completed early in 2009.