TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Toronto-based Avion Resources has completed the first gold pour at its Segala/Tabakoto operation, in Mali, after the mill was restarted last month, the firm reported on Monday.

The company is confident it will meet its targets, as the mill is already performing ahead of plan, it said.

So far this month, the firm has increased production to an average of 1 820 t/d, compared with the planned rate of 1 720 t/d.

The company also recently updated its mine plan, which resulted in additional savings of $1- million in start-up capital expenditures, in addition to a lower cost per ounce and increased revenues from production.

Altogether, the project start-up has progressed “extremely well”, said COO Andrew Bradfield.

Avion, which bought the Tabakoto mine and nearby Segala deposit last year from fellow Canadian Nevsun Resources, aims to produce 66 000 oz of gold this year.

Nevsun began production at Tabakoto in June 2006, but failed to turn a profit at the mine, and finally placed it on care and maintenance in 2007, to allow the company to focus on its lucrative Bisha project, in Eritrea.

Avion restarted the crusher and mill in February, processing run-of-mine stockpiles, which will be followed by openpit ore from Segala.

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