The first gold pour is now expected to occur in early Q2-2019 rather than mid-2019 as previously planned.
Endeavour Mining president & CEO Sébastien de Montessus said: “I’d like to thank the construction team for their hard work and excellent progress achieved so far. Completing the construction sooner is expected to result in material improvement to our 2019 free-cash flow generation potential as Ity CIL will be a low-cost operation with AISC expected to be below $500/oz over its first 5 years.”
Endeavour Mining projects COO & executive vice-president Jeremy Langford said: “The experience that our in-house construction team has gained from our previous builds in the region, the early installation of the Ball and SAG mills, combined with the excellent progress made during the rainy season, have been key factors which have helped advance the Ity CIL construction ahead of schedule.
“We are also particularly pleased with the continued strong safety track record with zero lost-time incidents to date.”
KEY MILESTONES ACHIEVED TO DATE INCLUDE:
More than 6 million man-hours worked with zero lost-time injuries.
Overall project completion stands at over 75%, tracking approximately 2 months ahead of schedule.
Nearly all of the $412 million initial capital cost has been committed and approximately 65% has been spent (inclusive of drawn equipment financing).
The process plant construction is over 70% complete, tracking ahead of schedule as the Ball and SAG mill installation commenced three months earlier than initially planned. Structural, mechanical, piping and electrical installation work is well underway.
Tailings storage facility (TSF) earthworks are progressing well against schedule with over 70% completed. Rubber lining has commenced.
The 90kv transmission line and 29MW power station construction are progressing well against schedule with over 70% completed. First power drawdown is expected to in Q1-2019.
The haul road bridge, to access the Daapleau pit, is 92% complete, with substructure concrete completed.
Employee permanent camp construction is complete with all 312 rooms available for occupation.
The resettlement program is progressing well against schedule with over 90% completed.
More than 2,800 personnel, including contractors, are currently employed on-site, approximately 90% of which are locals.
Source: Company Press Release
