Niger’s emergence on the mining radar screen owes much to the efforts of
In April, the country’s prime minister, Hama Amadou, laid the cornerstone for the Samira Hill gold mine, a 45-45 partnership between Etruscan and
A 1999 feasibility study by two independent firms concluded that Samira Hill is capable of producing an average of 67,000 oz. gold per year at a cash cost of US$168 per oz. over a 6.3-year mine life from oxide and transition reserves. Capital costs are estimated at US$23.3 million.
The study was based on measured and indicated reserves of 6.57 million tonnes grading 2.4 grams with a stripping ratio of 3.06-to-1. Additional resources of more than 1 million oz. are contained in deeper sulphide zones but were not included in the study.
To help finance mine construction, Etruscan last fall allowed Semafo to acquire half the Tiawa permit hosting Samira Hill. The partnership with Semafo includes the nearby Saouri permit, which hosts the Libiri gold deposits, currently being drilled.
In early May, the partners reported that drilling was linking two existing deposits while hitting a new lens. Prior to the start of this program, the Libiri project was reported to host a resource of 11.7 million tonnes (in all categories) averaging 2.07 grams gold.
The new lens was intersected in the hangingwall of the gold-bearing Samira Horizon by hole 55, which returned 19.5 metres averaging 3.03 grams gold.
The partners also reported results from closely spaced drilling between the Libiri A and B deposits, including:
7.71 grams over 12.2 metres;
5.54 grams over 18.3 metres;
3.13 grams over 7.5 metres;
3.06 grams over 37.5 metres;
3.03 grams over 19.5 metres;
2.42 grams over 19.8 metres;
2.14 grams over 22.5 metres;
2.14 grams over 21.3 metres;
2.05 grams over 13.7 metres;
2.04 grams over 22.9 metres.
“Results to date now indicate that Libiri A and B are connected by continuous mineralization and that they will be mined from a single open pit over a strike length of 1.2 km,” the companies state. “This will significantly improve the economics of the mining operation.”
A reserve estimate will be carried out once an additional 8,000 metres of drilling are done. A second rig has been added to ensure the program is completed by the end of June. If all goes as planned, Libiri ore will be processed at Samira Hill, thereby expanding the life of the operation. Other targets on the land package are yet to be drill-tested.
Niger is one of the poorest nations in Africa, and the new mine is expected to provide significant economic and social benefits. Already, the village of Koma Bangou has received a new schoolhouse, as well as infrastructure such as roads, airstrips and reservoirs. A health-care centre was built in the village of Toure, mid-way between the Tiawa permit and the Niger River. The former premier of Nova Scotia, John Savage, is assisting the company with some of its social initiatives.
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