B2Gold has significantly increased the mineral resource estimate for the Anaconda Area, which includes the Menankoto, Bantako North, and Bakolobi licences and is located about 20 kilometres from Mali's Fekola Mine.
It said the June 2023 mineral resource estimate showed indicated resources of about 2 million gold ounces, an 80% increase from the March 2022 mineral resource estimate.
The indicated mineral resources are estimated at 57,1 million tonnes at 1.11 grammes per tonne (g/t) gold. It also recorded inferred resources of 2 million in June 2023 with inferred mineral resources of 46,6 million tonnes at 1.33 g/t gold.
B2Gold further reported inaugural sulphide indicated mineral resource estimate of 17,4 million tonnes at 1.40 g/t gold for 780,000 ounces of gold as well as sulphide inferred mineral resource estimate of 37,1 million tonnes at 1.44 g/t gold for 1,72 million ounces of gold. Sulphide inferred gold grade improved by 15% from the March 2022 mineral resource estimate, it said.
It said Anaconda Area oxide mineral resources and the Dandoko oxide mineral resources will form the basis of the engineering study of a Fekola regional stand-alone mill and oxide processing facilities.
Oxide mineral resources at Anaconda Area and Dandoko are anticipated to be mined and processed at a lower per tonne unit cost relative to Fekola sulphide ore due to being located closer to surface, and cheaper mining and milling costs.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
