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Cluff Gold says production levels are ahead of 2010’s 100,000oz target

Published: 12:43 19 Mar 2010 GMT

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Cluff Gold (AIM: CLF; TSX: CFG) said the levels of production at the Kalsaka and Angovia mines are above the company’s current target of 100,000 ounces in 2010, and Cluff produced a total of 19,288 fine ounces of gold in January and February 2010. The gold was subsequently sold at an average price of US$1,112 per oz, and the company’s cash position improved by US$3.4m in the two month period ro stand at to US$5.7m on 28 February 2010.

Cluff has a portfolio of mineral interests at various stages of development in Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone. The Angovia gold mine is located in Côte d'Ivoire, and the Kalsaka gold mine is located in Burkina Faso.

"We are delighted to announce record production from our two mines at Kalsaka and Angovia in the first two months of 2010”, Cluff chairman and chief executive Algy Cluff commented. “The results are ahead of our production forecasts and we are confident that this strong performance will continue throughout the year".

For the two month period, the Kalsaka mine produced 14,887 ounces and Angovia produced 4,401 ounces, the corresponding operating cash costs were US$547 per ounce for the gold produced at Kalsaka and US$797 per ounce for the gold produced at Angovia.

Cluff said that Kalsaka production is ahead of forecasts due to a number of factors, including the recovery of gold from fine ore processed in Q4 2009 and together with the impact of modifications to spraying efficiency and improved stacking methodology.

Angovia production is in line with current expectations, and Cluff is finalising a technical study on potential modifications to the processing plant there which have the potential to improve operational efficiency.

Additionally, the group noted that it has made significant progress in resolving the ongoing VAT issues it flagged last month.  Cluff has recovered a total of US$4.3m in VAT, which has been recovered in Burkina Faso, with US$1.3m in February and US$3m in March. The company also said that signing the mining convention in Côte d'Ivoire will also improve cash flow, as it will not be paying VAT to suppliers and contractors with effect from 1 March 2010.

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