JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Gold explorer Liongold said on Tuesday that its Finnish joint venture (JV), Kalevala Gold Oy, had received government approval to test its processing equipment on a 200 t gold ore sample from the Kuikka deposit.
The test, which will be carried out next month, is a precursor to the 5 000 t bulk sampling campaign that is planned at Kuikka, subject to environmental permission being granted.
The sample will assist in the optimisation of the pilot plant recovery and operating procedures for the bulk sample programme.
In October, Liongold committed to spending €500 000 in cash and €150 000 in shares to hold 28.3% in the Finnish JV. The company will earn a 50% interest by spending another €1-million on drilling and a bulk sampling programme, targeted to produce 50 kg of gold in the spring of 2018.