Gold producer Nordgold has announced that construction of its Bissa mine, 100 km north of Ouagadougou, in Burkina Faso, is now complete and that gold production has started.

The mine was officially opened by the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, Luc Adolphe Tiao, and Nordgold CEO Nikolai Zelensky.

“We are delighted to announce that construction of the Bissa gold mine is now complete. Bissa is a key development project for our company and central to our growth strategy, but, more importantly, however, is that it is a crucial producing asset for the people of Burkina Faso. We have made real efforts to cultivate a good relationship with the citizens of our host country on both a local and a national level and I would like to thank the government of Burkina Faso for its support.

“As we move Bissa to full capacity, we will also focus our attention on delivering the gross development project. Together with the ramp-up of Bissa, Nordgold is very well placed to increase its global production considerably,” says Zelensky.

Bissa was completed ahead of schedule and within budget. It was completed within 15 months and the total investment value of the project is $250-million.
As at January 2012, the project’s proved and probable reserves of gold were estimated at 1 803 000 oz at 1.83 g/t, while measured, indicated and inferred resources totalled 4 929 000 oz at 1.1 g/t. The life of the mine is expected to be about ten years.

Meanwhile, the company sees potential in increasing the mine’s reserve base through the conversion of resources into reserves and its ongoing exploration programme.

The planned yearly capacity of the openpit mine is four-million tons of ore, producing up to 200 000 oz of gold. The plant consists of crushing, milling (semi- autogenous grinding and ball mills) and carbon-in-leach circuits.

Bissa is expected to produce up to 100 000 oz this year. More precise guidance will be given during the ramp-up process.

Nordgold chairperson Philip Baum says: “First gold production from the Bissa gold mine is a very important milestone for us. It clearly demonstrates our team’s ability to develop these significant projects.