Firefinch Ltd (ASX:FFX) has taken another big step towards generating maximum value from ‘Morila the Gorilla’ gold project in Mali with mining underway at the Morila Super Pit.
Initially, the activities include pre-stripping of waste from the first stage of the pit and this work will continue during the current quarter with ore mining forecast to begin during the June quarter of 2022.
Morila Super Pit is expected to become a consistent source of ore for the operations in the second half of this year and will play a major role in the company’s strategy to ramp up annual production to above 100,000 ounces in 2022.
Another development milestone
Firefinch’s managing director Dr Michael Anderson said: “Morila Super Pit is where the greatest value for the business lies and, as we have done consistently to date, we have successfully delivered on another Morila development milestone.
"Having previously stated that we’d commence mining at the Morila Super Pit in Q1 2022 we have broken ground in the first week of the quarter.”
First material hauling from Morila Super Pit.
Mining is being carried out by the company’s primary mining contractor Mota Engil working in joint venture with Malian group Intermine (MEIM).
Morila SA engaged MEIM in June 2021 to perform contract mining operations at the Morila Super Pit and satellite pits. MEIM initially mobilised to begin mining at the Viper satellite pit.
Hydraulic mining of high-grade tailings and satellite pit ore has provided a window to commence mining operations at Morila Super Pit using the current fleet.
New mining fleet
A new mining fleet is onsite being assembled and will be operational imminently to ramp up material movement and accelerate the development of the Morila Super Pit.
"Importantly we are now well set up for 2022; in addition to the fleet that has just commenced work we have a brand new 100-tonne mining fleet that will be on the go-line next week, and a fleet of larger 150-tonne units that will be commissioned in the coming months,” Anderson said.
"Drilling is also ongoing and continues to provide us with increased confidence in the potential at Morila.
“We look forward to safely developing the Morila Super Pit and generating the full value that Morila the Gorilla has to offer.”
New Komatsu 785 haul truck being assembled onsite at Morila.
Next steps
Pre-stripping of Stage 1 of the Morila Super Pit will continue through this quarter with first ore planned to present during the second quarter of 2022.
Mining schedules are based on the mineral resources and ore reserves for Morila presented in the Life of Mine plan announced in May 2021.
Since that time the company has implemented an intensive drilling campaign that has yielded several high-grade results and provided increased confidence in the mineral resources at Morila.
Four rigs continue to drill at Morila with an update to the mineral resource set to be completed during the first half of 2022 based on drilling results. This will be used to update the mining schedule.