Tietto Minerals Ltd (ASX:TIE) has completed the process plant layout as part of its rapid progress towards development and production at Abujar Gold Project in central west Côte d’Ivoire, which is set to be West Africa’s next gold mine.
The African gold explorer has engaged Primero Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ASX-listed NRW Holdings Limited (ASX:NWH), to undertake the engineering design and procurement for the mine.
Targeting first gold in 2022
Tietto’s managing director Dr Caigen Wang said the company had achieved very good progress on three parallel fronts.
He said: “The DFS is on track for completion in September for a potentially significant increase in open pit reserves based on an imminent new mineral resource estimate update, early stage mine development, engineering design and procurement are well advanced and diamond drilling for a new 50,000 metre drill campaign is ongoing.
“All of these areas will give great news flow for the weeks and months ahead while we target delivering the first gold pour at the Abujar gold mine in Q4 2022.”
Development highlights
Perth-based electrical engineering company, ECG, has been constructing the 90kv grid power extension design and tender of long lead items.
Construction of a 22-kilometre site access road linking the national highway to the Abujar processing plant site is also progressing well.
Three-quarters of the overall 22-kilometre road has been constructed, leaving only one quarter to be built in the next two months.
Tietto’s site team recently hosted representatives from more than a dozen mining contractos, bidding for the Abujar open cut mining services contract.
The company’s definitive feasibility study is on track for release in the September quarter of 2021.
Tietto expects strong news flow to continue for the weeks and months ahead.