afrol News, 16 July - The Mana gold mine in Burkina Faso is nearing a completion in its construction, according to the mining company operating it. The commence of commercial gold production is planned for year's end at the rate of 4,000 tonnes per day, producing 125,000 ounces per year for the first three years.

The Montreal-based gold mining company Semafo today provided an update on construction progress at its Mana Gold project located in Burkina Faso. According to Semafo, a large part of construction works have already been completed or are nearing completion. "Work is progressing on schedule," a company statement said.

According to the Canadians, principal road construction has already been completed while foundations for the plant are 95 percent completed. "Structural steel for the plant is on site and the erection process underway," the statement said. Also power generating equipment was "on site and currently being installed."

To build the mine and plant, the Somona village has had to be relocated. The relocation was said to be "on schedule having reached 50 percent of completion." Meanwhile, site housing for expatriates and senior staff are well advanced with 51 of the 67 homes available for occupancy. Also the administration building is completed.

"Stripping of the Wona pit using our own staff and mining fleet is well advanced," according to Semafo. "A total of 800,000 tonnes of material have been removed and partly used for construction of the water and tailings dams. Stripping of the Nyafe pit will commence this month. The water dam is nearing completion and has begun accumulating water from rainfall."

Works a Mana were intensified and have gone at high speed since Semafo in February announced that the government of Burkina Faso had, by official decree, issued the mining permit for the gold mine. Soon after, the Mana gold project was both fully permitted and fully funded.

The Canadian mining company also, since 2002, has been producing gold at its Kiniero mine in Guinea. In Niger, Semafo's Samira Hill gold mine began its operations in October 2004. The company's third gold mine will be Mana in Burkina Faso. Semafo does not operate outside West Africa.

Semafo anticipates commercial gold production for year's end at the rate of 4,000 tonnes per day, producing 125,000 ounces per year for the first three years. Then, Burkina Faso will once again become a gold producer as several modern facilities will commence operations.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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