TSX-V-listed Lake Victoria Gold (LVG) has begun Phase 1 earthworks at its fully permitted Imwelo gold project, in Tanzania, as construction of the project’s site camp nears completion.

In a news release, the company says the initial earthworks programme includes upgrades to the existing access road and preparation of the plant-site footprint.

Together with the advancing camp, these activities establish the core site infrastructure required for subsequent construction and mark the next stage of physical development at Imwelo.

The programme is being delivered under the company’s previously announced engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) structure led by City Engineering Company (CECL), a 100% Tanzanian-owned qualifying Indigenous Tanzanian company, with international technical support from Sutton Consulting International and day-to-day coordination by LVG’s mobilised on-site project team.

The company reports that Phase 1 earthworks have begun, including access road improvements and initial plant-site preparation.

LVG explains that the mobilised earthmoving fleet and support equipment are now undertaking these activities, with sourcing arrangements for road and earthworks materials established in coordination with the relevant Tanzanian authorities.

Additionally, the company says the construction camp is nearing completion, with water storage and power installed, plumbing completed, electrical work advancing and accommodation being progressively outfitted.

The camp has been designed as the first phase of the mine camp for permanent operations. LVG says this approach allows the infrastructure initially used to accommodate the construction workforce to remain in service during operations, avoiding duplicated expenditure and supporting disciplined capital deployment.

Moreover, the company says CECL remains the primary EPCM contractor and Tanzanian commercial lead, with Sutton providing international technical support.

LVG’s on-site project team is coordinating field activities, equipment use, contractor interfaces and development sequencing.

The company says this structure combines local execution capability, regulatory alignment and international technical support while expanding in-country project delivery capacity as Imwelo advances.

Near-term work at Imwelo will focus on completing and commissioning the construction camp; advancing the access road upgrade and plant pad preparation; completing topsoil stripping, berm construction and reticulation trenching; and continuing detailed engineering, procurement and construction sequencing.

“Imwelo is moving beyond planning and mobilisation into visible, sequenced site execution.

“We are establishing the infrastructure in the order the project requires, while ensuring that early investments, including the camp, continue to serve Imwelo through construction and into operations.

“This practical, capital-conscious and Tanzanian-led approach is the model we intend to carry through the next stages of project development,” says LVG president and CEO Marc Cernovitch.