African Barrick Gold (ABG), Africa’s 5th largest gold mining company, is considering developing underground mining at the Gokona and Nyabigena open pits in North Mara, one of the largest gold mines in Tanzania.
The objective is to bring high grade resources into production in order to provide increased flexibility to mining operations as well as extending the life of these gold mines.
In 2010, ABG reported that its initial mineral resource indicated that there is potential to establish a substantial underground mining operation.
Mr Gary Chapman, General Manager at the North Mara Gold Mine Site also suggested that the site had extended its support to the local community in an attempt to reduce mine intrusions.
ABG is Tanzania’s largest gold mining company with an overall production of 595,184 ounces in 2012.
The company has three mines at present: Bulyanhulu, Buzwagi and North Mara, with the Tulawaka mine now in the process of being transferred to Stamico, Tanzania’s new state mining corporation. All are in the northwest of Tanzania.
ABG is listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange.
Tanzania ranks as Africa’s fourth largest producer behind South Africa, Ghana and Mali, with current total gold production at 40 tonnes a year, according to the Tanzania Chamber of Minerals and Energy.
