JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Australia’s Signature Metals has started the environmental studies required for the restart of mining and processing at its Konongo gold project, in Ghana.

The company has now employed Ghana-based Tagit Consulting to complete a baseline data collection programme, identify and assess environmental and social impacts associated with the refurbishment and operation of the project, to prepare an environmental impact statement and to assist in complying with Ghana environmental legislation.

The environmental impact statements (EIS) were set to be completed by the second half of this year, at which point Signature would be able to apply for an environmental permit to restart mining and processing at Konongo.

Signature said in a statement on Monday that its strategy was to rapidly develop the Konongo project into a 100 000 oz a year producer. The company was also currently reviewing the existing Joint Ore Reserve Committee resource of around one-million ounces, and has set an exploration target of between 1,5-million and 2,5-million ounces of gold.

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