In Spite of Events in Mali, West Africa Gold Exploration Continues at Avnel Gold

When discussing about any West Africa gold exploration, the top honcho miners is always Avnel Gold Mining Ltd. Avnel Gold is a gold mining and exploration company operating the West Africa gold exploration and gold mine at Kalana, Mali, utilizing the Kalana Exploitation Permit and the Fougadian exploration permit. Avnel’s principal African company is its 80% interest in the Societe d’Exploitation des Mines d’Or de Kalana (SOMIKA). SOMIKA is the holder of a 30 year permit that covers around 387.4 square kilometers around and to the south of the presently operating Kalana gold mine in south west Mali.


 West Africa Gold Exploration

 


The Fougadian exploration permit covers an area of around 150 square kilometers which also lies south of the main Kalana permit. Before and during 2009, Avnel Gold began a joint venture with IAMGOLD Corporation. Its new joint venture partner will concentrate mostly on active West Africa gold exploration, resource calculation, and other feasibility studies utilizing the Kalana exploitation permit.

 

As far back as 1962 to 1982, two Malian mining companies explored the Kalana gold deposit with Soviet technical assistance. Additional diamond drilling and exploration was also done. Beginning 1985, actual mining and production commenced, producing 81,800 ounces of gold with a recovery rate of 86% by 1991. However, by late 1991, the break-up of the former Soviet Union and the entry of the new Russian Federation government necessitated the withdrawal of all financial and technical assistance and so the mine was placed on care and maintenance.


 West Africa Gold Exploration


Avnel Gold acquired the Kalana permit in late 2002 and the existing mining infrastructures were upgraded. New and more modern equipment were procured for the gold plant and underground operations. By first quarter of 2003, actual mining operations started up again.


 West Africa Gold Exploration


By 2004, mining operations were expanded and actual gold production began in March of the same year. Underground infrastructure improvements were increased for further worker safety, gold plant crusher and gravity crushing circuits, the ball mill, existing electrical equipment, winder motors, water pumps, and power plants were all upgraded and modernized as well as the procurement of new locomotives, winches, and drilling equipment.

 

In spite of the recent coup de etat and civil unrest in Mali, Avnel Gold assures that operations will continue, though some West Africa gold exploration has been suspended following the establishment of a new Malian government.

For more on this, just visit http://www.avnelgold.com/ or see its latest press release at http://www.avnelgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Press-Release-April-1-201...

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