Name of the Project
Segele gold project.

Location
Ethiopia.

Project Owner/s
Akobo Minerals.

Project Description
A scoping study has confirmed the potential economics of the Segele project.

Akobo Minerals is planning to mine the gold mineralisation using methods such as shrinkage stoping or similar. Ore will be brought to surface using an incline shaft.

At peak production, just under 6 000 t a month of rock will be mined and this material will be fed into an industry standard crushing and gravity circuit, with cyanidation where necessary.

Th project has a mine life estimated at 27 months.

The company plans to buy a plant capable of processing 20 t/h, but will initially operate it at 10 t/h. The plant is expected to extract 90% of all gold in the mineralisation; this will be confirmed by ongoing metallurgical testwork.

Potential Job Creation
None stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
None stated.

Capital Expenditure
Total capital expenditure for establishing the mine plant is estimated at $8-millon

Planned Start/End Date
Mining operations are expected to start at the end of 2022.

Latest Developments
Akobo Minerals has awarded an environmental- and social-impact assessment (Esia) contract to Ethiopia-based TS Environment Technology for the Segele project.  

The Esia will assess and predict the environmental and social impacts of the Segele mine and recommend suitable mitigation measures.

Akobo notes that the Esia is a vital building block for the sustainable natural resource management plan, which is being prepared by Sazani Associates.

Based on the data collected by TS Environment, Sazani will finalise the planning process and the development phase of a payment for ecosystems services project, which is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2022.

The Esia will also indicate the potential to undertake a clean mining operation and leave the host communities with sustainable long-term income.

The first four specialists to arrive in camp will study water resources, cultural heritage, air and noise considerations.

In the coming weeks, primary data collection and baseline studies will be completed for social and environment considerations.

The Esia will be submitted for approval to the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Commission in December.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Sazani Associates (sustainable natural resource management plan); and TS Environment Technology (Esia contract).

Contact Details for Project Information
Akobo Minerals, tel +47 92 80 40 14 or email info@akobominerals.com.