Asante Gold (CNSX: ASE) (OTCMKTS: ASGOF) is approaching an increase in gold production at its Bibiani mine in Ghana, with long-lead items for the sulphide recovery plant expected to arrive by mid-August, the company announced.
The installation of the recovery plant at Bibiani, which Asante acquired in 2021 from Resolute Mining (ASX, LON: RSG), is set to enhance gold recovery and significantly lower the all-in sustaining costs (AISC) per ounce. The Canadian miner noted that gold recovery from sulphide ore is projected to rise from the current 70% to nearly 92%, facilitated by the incoming equipment.
The sulphide recovery facility, with civil works already 50% completed, is integral to Asante’s goal of increasing gold production at Bibiani to over 250,000 ounces annually. The company aims to achieve a cumulative output of 1.2 million ounces of gold over the next five years.
Once the sulphide recovery plant is operational, Asante anticipates producing 20,000 ounces of gold per month at Bibiani, aligning with its long-term vision for the mine.
In addition, Asante reported that the Bibiani-Goaso highway had been rerouted following the completion of two detour roads. This rerouting will facilitate the further development of the open pit and underground sections of the Bibiani mine.
The Vancouver-based company boasts a high-quality portfolio of projects and mines in Ghana, where it operates the Bibiani and Chirano mines and conducts detailed technical studies at its Kubi gold project.
In 2022, Ghana reclaimed its status as Africa’s top gold miner, thanks to a 32% surge in production. Gold output increased to 3.7 million ounces in 2022 from 2.8 million ounces the previous year, when South Africa had held the title of the continent’s leading gold producer.
