Okvau ramps up to full production

21st September 2021 By: Esmarie Iannucci - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Australasia

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Operations at the Okvau gold mine, in Cambodia, are now ramping up to full production, ASX-listed Emerald Resources said, following the completion of the gold plant.

Gold production since commissioning of oxide ore in June 2021 is an estimated 19 000 oz with some 23 000 oz expected to the end of the current quarter. This includes ore production for the first 15 days of September averaging 420 oz/d recovered, confirming suitability of all plant for more than 100 000 oz/y gold production.

Since Emerald’s maiden gold pour in June 2021, six shipments totalling 8 144 oz of gold have been received by the refinery with out-turns received. A total of 6 958 oz of gold have been sold to date at an average price of $1 795/oz. A further 5 132 oz of gold dore has been poured ahead of mint out-turn.

“It is pleasing to announce that we have achieved the successful ramp up of operations to full production at the Okvau gold mine which now places Emerald in the ranks of a 100 000 oz/y gold producer,” said Emerald MD Morgan Hart.

“Importantly we are either meeting or exceeding the Okvau gold mine definitive feasibility study, which is a testament to the skill and quality of our staff and contractors in light of the significant challenges of the global pandemic and commissioning and ramp-up activities during the recent wet season.

“We look forward to positive cash flows from the Okvau gold mine providing the opportunity to grow the company through exploration and acquisition. Notably with environmental approvals recently granted at the Memot project, our exploration is scheduled to commence on a maiden drilling campaign in the near term.”