West African developer Tietto Minerals is on target for first gold production in the Dec 2022 qtr after naming international earthmoving contractor EPSA Internacional to conduct opencut mining at its 90%-owned Abujar project in Côte d’Ivoire.
EPSA, selected after a competitive tender and due diligence process, will be responsible for site preparation, drill and blast, load and haul and maintenance at Abujar. Mobilisation will begin in Jul, with first mining in Aug.
The mine is expected to deliver 260,000oz gold at AISC of $US651/oz in its first year and average 200,000ozpa at $804/oz over six years of an estimated 11-year life.