Syama sulphide recovery showed an improvement over last quarter,...

Syama sulphide recovery showed an improvement over last quarter, up to 74.6% from 66.1% (June Q) even with a slight fall in grade from 2.03g/t to 1.99g/t which is a good sign IMO.

Gold produced was up across the board except at Ravenswood.

In short we survived the quarterly without too much harm to the share price and our underground development rate at Syama is ahead of schedule by about 1,000m although we missed the development target slightly in Sept.

Both the reserve and resource grade at Syama UG are 2.80g/t and the prize is being able to turn that grade into a long life gold factory with good recoveries and maximum production. Below are extracts from the quarterly regarding the "main game" goals which are fundamental to anyone adopting a medium term accumulate strategy with a view to a long term hold.


"Project 85 is targeting an increase in overall recovery levels to above 85% based on the average feed grade of the underground ore. At the end of the quarter the project design, procurement and construction remained on schedule with construction now 77% completed. The staged commissioning of the project remains on track for the end of March 2018.


Project Reprise involves reclaiming the carbon enriched concentrate (CEC) and processing with the innovative low carbon roast (LCR) technology. The LCR technology will deliver a significant reduction in the preg-robbing organic carbon content of the CEC. During the quarter Outotec completed the detailed design of the LCR tie-ins and procurement of long lead items. The staged commissioning of Project Reprise remains on track for mid-2019.



"The Syama Underground definitive feasibility study (refer to ASX Announcement July 2016) was predicated on a 2.4Mtpa mining and processing rate. Recent work on autonomous trucking and bogging, in addition to ongoing exploration success, has identified options for expanding production rates from the underground mine. The Syama optimisation study will seek to identify a maximum, or unconstrained mine production rate, and then assess options for expanding processing capacity to accommodate this increased tonnage."

Sounds like we are limited by processing not mining at Syama. which will be a challenge for the future. Good challenge to have IMO. Esh
.