Another major milestone was reached for Canadian gold miner Great Basin Gold's Burnstone project - the first new mine to open in South Africa's Witwatersrand region for more than 30 years - with the first gold pour on October 31.
The Burnstone Metallurgical Plant project's successful commissioning of the crushing and grinding circuits in October have been followed by the commissioning of the gravity concentrate circuit and the first gold pour.
The focus has now moved to the CIL (carbon-in-leach) circuit which commenced operation during the week of October 25.
Following the successful licensing of both the rock and personnel winders on October 15, the vertical shaft has commenced with the hoisting of men and material while the final equipping and construction of the shaft surface area is taking place.
Ferdi Dippenaar, President and CEO, said good progress continues to be made with the commissioning of the Burnstone Metallurgical Plant.
"The first gold pour is always a significant milestone and attention has now shifted to the commissioning of the CIL process and the remaining infrastructure. Operationally, the metallurgical plant commissioning has gone well with no major incidents causing significant delays," Dippenaar said.
Dippenaar added the company is entering an exciting phase in its development with the commissioning of the Burnstone plant, transitioning from a project into an operating mine.
"After having commenced with a box-cut for the decline some four years ago in July 2006, the project is finally nearing completion at a time when the gold price is at an historical high," he said recently.
Located in the world's most prolific gold field, the Witwatersrand Basin, Burnstone is a shallow, low cost, low risk mine with a 19 year mine life and is fully financed.
Anticipated average annual production is 254 000 ounces at a cash cost of $319 per oz, with a substantial upside potential for later phases of development that will position Great Basin Gold as a leading mid-tier gold producer.
Great Basin Gold's other major gold project is the Hollister Property in Nevada, USA. - I-Net Bridge