PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Gold miner Firefinch has increased the global mineral resource at its Morila project, in Mali, to 2.43-million ounces of contained gold, following mineral resource estimates for a number of satellite deposits.
The ASX-listed company has increased the mineral resource estimate for its satellites by 80%, to 218 000 oz of contained gold, with a 164% increase in the measured and indicated categories, which are now estimated at 190 000 oz of contained gold.
Firefinch told shareholders on Monday that the mineral resource estimate included up to 30 000 m of drilling completed this year, and would enable the finalization of ore reserves and a life-of-mine plan, which will be released early in May.
“This is an excellent outcome. We aimed to have sufficient satellite feed available to support operations in the lead up to accessing ore from the Morila super pit, and we have delivered,” said Firefinch MD Dr Michael Anderson.
“Our investment in intensive drilling across the known deposits has paid off with this substantial increase in satellite resources. Importantly, we have a significant inventory of measured and indicated resources on which to base our forthcoming life-of-mine plan, the blueprint for the production ramp-up at Morila.
“Drilling is continuing and we are confident of adding further resources and reserves,” he added.