Tasiast gold deposits are hosted in Archaean volcanic-sedimentary sequences that have been deformed and metamorphosed to lower amphibolite peak metamorphic grade. Mineralization is both structurally and lithologically controlled, epigenetic in style and was coincident with early stages of post-peak metamorphic retrograde Greenschist P-T conditions.

The Tasiast gold deposits fall into the broad category of orogenic gold deposits. The regional geological setting and deposit features at Tasiast are similar to other wellknown Archaean lode gold deposits hosted along greenstone belts in granitoidgreenstone terranes.

The Tasiast deposits are hosted within a package of strongly foliated and folded rocks in the hanging wall block of an assumed thrust fault or thrust fault system referred to as the Tasiast thrust system. Modelling and interpretation of high-resolution gravity data shows deep geometry suggestive of a thrust system underlying the Aouéouat belt. The Tasiast thrust system displays zones of strong deformation typically 0.5 m to 10 m wide and characterized by laminated foliation with locally preserved mylonitic textures. Hydrothermal alteration assemblages, sulphides and quartz veins are commonly spatially associated with the zones of intense deformation.

All of the Tasiast deposits host an intense, generally N-S striking, variably dipping, penetrative foliation, S1, which is axial planar to tight isoclinal folds in the host sequence (Davis ........

Ore and waste rock is mined in 10 metre benches by conventional open pit methods primarily from the West Branch pit. Tasiast currently operates a load and haul fleet of 46 CAT 793D (220 ton) trucks, five Komatsu 785 (92 t) and five CAT 6060 shovels plus two RH340B excavators. Blasting techniques, including presplit and buffer hole blasting, are employed to protect the pit walls.

Ore and waste rock is mined by conventional open pit methods from two pits (West Branch and Piment). Prior mining has taken place in West Branch, Piment and several other smaller pits at Tasiast. From September 2010 when Kinross acquired the property to the end of 2019, a total of 637 million tonnes of material have been mined from various pits, including 53 million tonnes in 2016, 75 million tonnes in 2017, 87 million tonnes in 2018 and 85 million tonnes in 2019.

The existing shovel and haul truck fleets will be used for the duration of mining and no replacement of this equipment is anticipated. Equipment life has been projected from actual operating hours, with estimates of future usage based on the mine plan.

Waste rock is used for haul road and tailings dam construction as needed. The existing road network is well developed, and requires continued maintenance. Additional roads will also be required throughout the life of the mine. These roads will be constructed using the current mining and support mining fleets.

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The existing Tasiast CIL plant has proven capable of processing approximately 15 kt/d. Kinross has decided to increase the existing CIL plant capacity in stages through a debottlenecking exercise. The modifications to achieve and initial target of 21 kt/d and later 24 kt/d form the basis of this project and are detailed below.

The existing CIL processing plant produces the majority of the gold shipped from Tasiast. The remaining gold is produced from the dump leach operations via a dedicated ADR plant. All produced gold is in the form of bullion and is transported regularly to a refinery for final refining and sale.

Unit gold recovery estimates for the existing plants are based on metallurgical test work and a review of historical performance. The recovery varies by mineralization type, lithology and grade.

Dump Leach Pads
The dump leach operation is nearing the end of its life. Rinsing of the pads is expected to begin in early 2020 and take appr ........