Mining

The Koné project ranks as one of the highest quality gold projects in Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Council of Ministers of Côte d’Ivoire has awarded the mining permit for the Koné project to Montage Gold Corp in the country

Montage was awarded mining permits covering a total area of 357 sq km for both its Koné and Gbongogo deposits (which are valid for 20 years and 8 years respectively) in addition to several advanced high grade exploration targets, with opportunities to extend as further mine life is added through exploration success. The awarding of mining permits represents the last governmental authorisation required to enable the development and operation of the Koné project with the official decree to be received shortly following today’s Council of Ministers’ meeting.

A unique West African mining opportunity

“We are delighted to be awarded our mining permit which represents a significant milestone in the development of our Koné project and reflects the strong support received from our local stakeholders given our win-win approach focused on local content,” remarked Martino De Ciccio, CEO of Montage. “In addition, we are also pleased to have reached an agreement on land compensation without local communities which further demonstrates the support for the advancement of our project given the significant social and economic benefits that it will unlock for our host communities and government.

“We look forward to rapidly continuing to unlock value for our stakeholders by progressing the Koné project towards an anticipated construction launch by Q1-2025, while continuing to progress our exploration strategy of delineating higher-grade targets that can be slotted into the mine plan from the commencement of the operation.”

Montage has indicated that it is now rapidly advancing exploration at the Koné project with a 30,000-meter drill programme expected to be completed in late July 2024. High grade intercepts have already been received at several targets. A second 60,000-meter drill programme is expected to be launched in late Q3-2024 with the goal of delineating resources at top priority targets, in addition to continuing to drill test other targets.

Over the past 29 years, Barrick has invested more than $10 billion in the Malian economy, with its mines accounting for between 5% and 10% of the country’s gross domestic product annually. (Image source: Barrick)

Barrick president and chief executive Mark Bristow emphasised the critical importance of ensuring the long-term viability of the Loulo-Gounkoto gold mining complex to sustain Mali's mining industry and its significant economic contribution

Speaking to local media and stakeholders, Bristow highlighted Barrick's substantial investment in Mali, totaling over US$10bn over 29 years, with its mines annually contributing between 5% and 10% to the country’s GDP. He underscored that Barrick had contributed over US$1bn to Mali's economy in the past year alone.

“We continue to work constructively towards a global resolution of our differences and finding common ground on the key issue of sharing the economic benefits of our operations without damaging the future viability of these valuable contributors to the economy,” remarked Bristow.

“It’s worth noting that Barrick developed a highly successful benefit-sharing partnership for our Tanzanian operations which has since also been used as a model for the reopened Porgera mine in Papua New Guinea.”

Bristow cautioned that the current economic and political climate in Mali had caused exploration companies to curtail or suspend their operations in the country which would impact gold production in the long run.

“In contrast, Barrick has been engaging with the National Directorate of Geology and Mines (DNGM) to grow our exploration footprint here, securing our ability to deliver real value to Mali and our stakeholders in the country,” concluded Bristow.

At Hillhead, the hydraulic version of the RM J110X was presented in the demonstration area. (Image source: RUBBLE MASTER)

At Hillhead 2024, which ran from 25-27 June in the United Kingdom, RUBBLE MASTER, a leading manufacturer of mobile compact crushers and screens, expanded its product portfolio by launching the RM J110X

As the company’s first mobile jaw crusher, the RM J110X is suited for processing hard natural rock in mines, quarries and heavy-duty recycling applications. With its introduction, the company has extended its product range to now offer full crusher and screen train solutions that meet the industry’s evolving material processing requirements. At Hillhead, the hydraulic version was presented in the demonstration area, while the new jaw crusher is also available with a hybrid drive system.

“It's like David versus Goliath,” remarked Gerald Hanisch, founder, owner, and face of the RM Group. “With the jaw crusher, we are venturing into completely new territory, but we are convinced this is the right step to take. That’s because we have the support of long-standing customers, whose high demand prompted the development of this machine. With the RM J110X, we are not only entering a new business field but also demonstrating once again our ability to drive innovation."

Natural rock and heavy-duty recycling processing 

The RM J110X is designed top optimally process natural rock and heavy-duty recycling materials. The crushed material can either be used right away or serve as feed material for a following crushing step. The RM J110X jaw crusher is versatile and can be used with almost all types of rock, regardless of how hard or abrasive the material is. The jaw crusher is also effective in recycling applications, even with high levels of rebar. According to the company, it is also highly regarded for its toughness, reliability, for setting new standards in terms of modulatory, and for its range of equipment options available to allow users to suit the machine to their specific needs.

Noted for its toughness and reliability, the RM J110X sets new standards in terms of modularity and offers an exceptional throughput-to-weight ratio. With a range of equipment options available, users can customize the machine to suit their specific requirements.

"We are ready to turn current challenges into opportunities for growth and development. The RM J110X is proof that we remain leaders in innovation and technology even in difficult times," concluded Hanisch.

Elsewhere at the show, CDE unveiled a new generation of filter press which benefits from a flexible design and variable throughput. Discover the story at: https://africanreview.com/mining/cde-unveils-new-generation-of-filter-press-at-hillhead

Some of the team from WEG Africa’s branch in Ghana. (Image source: WEG Africa)

Set up in 2009, initially to provide parts support to the growing installed base in West Africa, WEG Africa’s Ghana operation is today a fully-fledged branch

Through an expanded network of Value Added Resellers (VARs), the branch has boosted its capacity to deliver tailored and responsive solutions to a diverse customer base in West Africa. It places customer success at the centre of its operations, and offers customised solutions that speak directly to market requirements in West Africa.

Foster Yeboah Owusu, regional manager – West Africa – sales at WEG Africa, said VARs play a pivotal role in ensuring customer satisfaction. The branch has a total of eight VARs in key markets such as Nigeria (two), Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal and Mauritania.

The Ghana entity offers a complete range of WEG solutions across the different product families – industrial electric and electronic equipment, power generation and transmission and commercial and appliance motors. The current focus is on industrial electric and electronic equipment, catering largely for oil and gas, and mining markets.

The main product line includes electric motors, variable speed drives and controls, softstarters, switchgear, geared motors, distribution boards and customised E-houses. This is complemented by a selected range of power generation and transmission products such as oil-cooled and dry-type transformers as well as mobile substations.

Mining drives West African growth

Armed with the globally renowned WEG product offering, coupled with a strong support regime that entails technical support, training and high spare parts availability, WEG Africa’s West African business has seen substantial growth in recent years. The growth has largely been driven by a thriving West African mining sector.

Commenting on emerging trends in the market, Owusu highlighted the accelerated move towards energy efficient solutions. In Ghana, for example, the Government has introduced Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for about 20 different electrical products including transformers, electric motors and air conditioners, amongst others.

As a key industry stakeholder, WEG Africa was part of the electro-mechanical technical committee that prepared the standards on which the MEPS for electrical motors are based. Through this process, the Government of Ghana has set MEPS for electric motors at IE2, up from IE1. The industry, however, is already moving to IE3 and IE4 efficiency standards. Given that electric motors consume 50% of global energy, Owusu explained that the adoption of higher MEPS is a welcome development.

“Governments in West Africa have a big focus on sustainability and environmental management,” added Owusu. “On the back of rapid industrialisation, there is a growing renewable sector in the region. To cater for this market, we intend to expand our offering with WEG’s other existing solutions such as solar systems, hydro and wind turbines.”

This article was authored by WEG Africa. Learn more about the company, its services, and the Ghanaian branch at: www.weg.net