i found finally it the report that implied a study would be done potentially back in 2007 and keep in mind that this was in gold prices were like $800-$900ish
http://pdf.secdatabase.com/1336/0000950136-07-004414.pdf
Drilling at the Samacline target, approximately 500 meters to the west of the pit and approximately 400 meters below surface has also continued during the year. Further close spaced intersections have been effected through deflections from several drill holes in order to assess short scale variability. On completion of the current drilling program,
a scoping study designed to test amenability of the deposit to a small underground mining operation will be assessed.
Samacline would go on to be mentioned time and time again until 2015 before Barrick took over Randgold, hoping to revisit it but factors such as closing the mine, plant refurbishments, other tier 1 projects to focus on shelved this opportunity.
Just think about it this way, more than likely enough drilling was done, for a resource estimate and to make a business case on preliminary costs for an underground project, if they were even just considering the operation at gold prices of $900ish, imagine what it could be now.
Just another potential back up opportunity for us, along with all the satellites pits, koting, morila 1.3 and other exploration potential (dankassa, kondji, morila extensions) plus as a last resort royalty arrangements with other potential projects
Fatou (Kodal) and Kolondieba (Marvel Gold). LOM should not be an issue for us