JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Construction of TSX- and Aim-listed Aureus Mining’s New Liberty gold project, in Liberia, remained on track, with first gold expected during the first quarter of 2015.

The New Liberty engineering and construction programme is progressing according to schedule, with the company having awarded the engineering, procurement and construction management design and construction services contract to DRA Mineral Projects.

The structural, mechanical, platework and piping supply contract had also been awarded, with first steel planned from the fabrication works before year-end.

"Construction at New Liberty remains on schedule with significant progress made during this year. We are well positioned to continue to deliver during 2014 and achieve the first gold pour in 2015. I look forward to Aureus becoming Liberia's first commercial, and one of West Africa's newest, gold producers,” Aureus Mining president and CEO David Reading said.

The ball mill shell, which would be released from fabrication in December and shipped to the New Liberty site by the second quarter of 2014, had passed its final inspection and progress was ahead of schedule. The mill ends would also be completed and released from fabrication in December.

All bush clearing had been completed for the process infrastructure, including the tailings storage facility area, and upgrade work on the Daniels Town access road bridges was under way, with one of four bridges already complete.

Further, the Marvoe Creek spillway earthworks were nearing completion, with topsoil removal and excavations under way at the holding dams.

“Civil works are advancing at the primary and secondary crusher foundations, the secondary screening building, the mill stockpile tunnel foundation, the carbon-in-leach tanks and the gold room foundations,” the company added.

Meanwhile, construction at the Camp David staff accommodation complex was on track, with junior accommodation nearing completion and senior and visitor accommodation construction under way.

“Work continues at the New Kinjor township, with building work on the church and mosque completed, and the construction of houses and the community centre ongoing.”

The company had completed the foundations for 100 of the 161 duplex housing units under construction. Two house units have been completed, with a further 20 units at an advanced stage.

Further, the two school buildings that were under construction would be ready for occupation during December.