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Burkina Faso
Bissa Mine (Bissa-Bouly Operation)

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 Location:
88 km N from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

  Regional Office:
11 BP 1229 CMS OUAGA 11 783 Rue de la Chambre de Commerce
15 618 commune de Ouagadougou Ouaga 2000
Ouagadougou
Burkina Faso
Phone  ...  Subscription required
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  • Overview
  • Owners
  • Geology
  • Mining
  • Processing
  • Production
  • Reserves
  • Costs & Financials
  • Fleet
  • Personnel
  • Filings & News

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Overview

StageProduction
Mine TypeOpen Pit
Commodities
  • Gold
Mining Method
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
Processing
  • Smelting
  • Agitated tank (VAT) leaching
  • Carbon in leach (CIL)
  • Carbon adsorption-desorption-recovery (ADR)
  • AARL elution
  • Solvent Extraction & Electrowinning
  • Cyanide (reagent)
Mine Life18 years (as of Jan 1, 2016)


Owners

Source: p. 129, 130
CompanyInterestOwnership
Government of Burkina Faso 10 % Indirect
Nord Gold plc 90 % Indirect
Bissa Gold SA (operator) 100 % Direct
Bissa Gold SA, which owns the Bissa mine, is 90% owned by Nordgold through High River Gold Mines Ltd. and 10% state owned (under law).

Deposit Type

  • Orogenic
  • Vein / narrow vein


Summary:

The Bissa and Bouly gold deposits all occur within an approximate 90 km NW-SE zone, comprising Birimian volcano-sedimentary rocks of the Boromo greenstone belt. The belt consists of mafic volcanic rock, minor felsic volcanic rock and extensive sedimentary units, intruded by Eburnean granitoids, all of which have undergone incipient to low greenschist facies metamorphism (Huot and Sattran, 1987).

The Bissa Hill, SW, IOSE, Z51, Z52 and Boken Zandkom deposits all fall within an approximate 9km NE-SW oriented corridor (“the Bissa-Zandkom corridor”) in the northeastern portion of the Boromo greenstone belt. This corridor comprises a series of interbedded argillaceousarenaceous sediments, alongside sequences of mafic volcanic rock. The thick metasedimentary sequence represents the principal host to mineralisation. Structurally, the lithological assemblage at Bissa-Zandkom appears to be tightly folded, with a broad NE to ENE trend, and is offset by several large-scale faults that trend NW-SE. At least two phases of deformation can be identified at the mine-scale, including an earlier D1 and later D2, resulting in a re-folded fold sequence.

Mineralisation at the Bissa and Bouly deposits is primarily orogenic and structurally controlled, with a secondary lithological control. The most significant mineralised zones are associated with anastomosing networks of quartz and quartz-carbonate veins (or stacked, parallel “arrays” of veins) developed within major brittle-ductile shear zones. Two main types of mineralised veins are recognised within the deposits of the Bissa-Zandkom corridor; namely a) the main gold-bearing quartz veins in the central part of steep shear zones, which are often axial planar shears; and b) complex vein systems of gently inclined and steep extensional fractures, developed both within the shear zones barren wall rocks, and along folded bedding planes and lithological contacts. Similar mineralisation styles are observed across the Bissa-Bouly deposits.

Gold mineralisation is most commonly developed in either quartz-sulphide veining ± carbonates and tourmaline, or disseminated and fracture filling sulphides and magnetite. Across most deposits, the primary sulphide species is pyrite, with minor chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite and very rare native gold.

Boken Zandkom, IOSE, SW, Bissa Hill and Yimiougou all strike NE-SW, dipping moderatelysteeply to the NW. Bouly, Z51 and Z52 are also NE-SW striking, but dip steeply to the SE. All of the deposits of the Bissa-Zandkom corridor have a moderate north-easterly mineralisation plunge. Trends associated with the satellite deposits of Zinigma, Samtenga, Ronguen and Gougre are varied.

As is typical in the region, the Bissa and Bouly deposits are variably oxidised. The oxidation sequence typically comprises a thin (0 to 20 m) lateritic layer at surface, which overlies a welldeveloped oxidised saprolitic zone. This normally progresses into a transitional zone, comprising a mixture of saprolite and fresh bedrock, with un-altered fresh rock typically around 50 m to 125 m below surface. Secondary enrichment of gold within the laterite layer is common.


Mining Methods

  • Truck & Shovel / Loader


Summary:

Current mining operations at Bissa are focused on a number of different open pits.

Bissa gold mine operates a typical modern open pit operation with drilling and blasting followed by load and haul allowing for selective mining of the ore. The material lithologies are divided into four main categories: Saprolite, Laterite, Transition, and Fresh.

The mine has several significant opportunities to extend the LoM but this will depend on the exploration program and the gold price.


Crushing and Grinding
Crusher / Mill TypeModelSizePowerQuantity
Jaw crusher ....................... Subscription required 1
Pebble crusher 1
SAG mill 8.5m x 4.35m 6 MW 1
Ball mill 6.1m x 9.05m 6 MW 1

Summary:

Crushing
RoM ore is screened at 800 mm on a stationary grizzly, with oversized broken using a rockbreaker. The primary crusher is a Metso C140 jaw crusher operating with a nominal CSS of 170 mm. The crusher is preceded by a 150 mm aperture vibrating grizzly. Crushed ore reports to an open stockpile.

Grinding
The first grinding stage consists of a 8.5 x 4.35 m SAG mill (6000 kW) that is closed with a 10 mm slotted aperture screen. A Pebble Crusher was installed in 2014 crushing a recycle rate of approximately 12%. Screen undersize reports to the 6.1 x 9.05 m (6000 kW) ball mill, which operates in closed circuit with a bank of 380 mm cyclones. After screening for trash removal, cyclone overflow reports to the CIL circuit.


Processing

  • Smelting
  • Agitated tank (VAT) leaching
  • Carbon in leach (CIL)
  • Carbon adsorption-desorption-recovery (ADR)
  • AARL elution
  • Solvent Extraction & Electrowinning
  • Cyanide (reagent)

Source: Subscription required

Summary:

The Bissa process plant treats non-refractory oxidised saprolite and transitional and fresh saprock hosted gold ore through a conventional carbon-in-leach (“CIL”) circuit, producing doré on site.

The plant commenced production in 2013 at a design production rate of 3 Mtpa; however, the plant was expected to be capable of processing 4 Mtpa or even higher with ore blends containing high levels of Oxide and Transitional ore. The current throughput is nominally 4.8 Mtpa with a maximum of 33% Fresh ore in the feed blend.

Cyanidation
The cyanidation circuit consists of six 2900 m3 mechanically agitated tanks, giving a circuit residence time of 26 hours at the original design feedrate of 3 Mtpa and a slurry density of 42% solids. Cyanide is added to the first tank, and compressed air is sparged into each tank. The tanks are fitted with mechanically swept vertical wedge wire interstage screens, and carbon is transferred using recessed impeller pumps. The carbon resid ........

Recoveries & Grades:

CommodityParameter2021202020192018201720162015
Gold Recovery Rate, %  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required80.88988.486.9
Gold Head Grade, g/t  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required1.21.481.541.94
^ Guidance / Forecast.

Production:

CommodityUnits2021202020192018201720162015
Gold koz  ......  Subscription required ^  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required155196186235
All production numbers are expressed as metal in doré. ^ Guidance / Forecast.
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Operational Metrics:

Metrics202120202019201820172016
Total tonnes mined  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required43,120 kt41,680 kt37,526 kt
Ore tonnes mined  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required5,494 kt5,184 kt6,254 kt3,948 kt
Waste  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required37,626 kt36,496 kt31,272 kt
Stripping / waste ratio  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required7 5 5.2 8.79
Annual processing capacity  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
Tonnes processed  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required4,184 kt
^ Guidance / Forecast.
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Reserves at December 31, 2020:
Cut-off grades for resources range from 0.36 to 0.72 g/t Au depending on deposit.
Cut-off grades for reserves are variable.

CategoryOreTypeTonnage CommodityGradeContained Metal
Proven In-Situ (OP) 3.308 Mt Gold 1.2 g/t 128 koz
Probable Stockpiles 24.271 Mt Gold 0.66 g/t 234 koz
Probable In-Situ (OP) 17.292 Mt Gold 1.41 g/t 782 koz
Probable Total 28.349 Mt Gold 1.1 g/t 1,015 koz
Proven & Probable Stockpiles 24.271 Mt Gold 0.66 g/t 234 koz
Proven & Probable In-Situ (OP) 20.6 Mt Gold 1.37 g/t 910 koz
Proven & Probable Total 20.6 Mt Gold 1.1 g/t 1,144 koz
Measured In-Situ (OP) 6.808 Mt Gold 1.52 g/t 333 koz
Indicated Stockpiles 11.194 Mt Gold 0.66 g/t 238 koz
Indicated In-Situ (OP) 40.589 Mt Gold 1.44 g/t 1,881 koz
Indicated Total 51.783 Mt Gold 1.27 g/t 2,119 koz
Measured & Indicated Stockpiles 11.194 Mt Gold 0.66 g/t 238 koz
Measured & Indicated In-Situ (OP) 47.397 Mt Gold 1.45 g/t 2,213 koz
Measured & Indicated Total 58.591 Mt Gold 1.3 g/t 2,451 koz
Inferred In-Situ (OP) 12.614 Mt Gold 1.31 g/t 530 koz
Total Resource Stockpiles 11.194 Mt Gold 0.66 g/t 238 koz
Total Resource In-Situ (OP) 48.817 Mt Gold 1.42 g/t 2,744 koz
Total Resource Total 60.011 Mt Gold 1.3 g/t 2,982 koz

Commodity Production Costs:

CommodityUnits202120202019
Total cash costs Gold USD  ......  Subscription required ^
Total cash costs Gold USD  ......  Subscription required†  ......  Subscription required†
All-in sustaining costs (AISC) Gold USD  ......  Subscription required ^
All-in sustaining costs (AISC) Gold USD  ......  Subscription required†  ......  Subscription required†
^ Guidance / Forecast.
† Net of By-Product.
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Operating Costs:

Units20202019201820172016
Processing costs ($/t milled) USD 9.369.588.938.549.75

Financials:

Units2021202020192018201720162015
Capital expenditures (planned) M USD  ......  Subscription required
Sustaining costs M USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required54   33.2   34.8  
Capital expenditures M USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required61.4   35.7   35.6  
Revenue M USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required197.4   246.5   230.4   274.1  
Subscription required - Subscription is required


Heavy Mobile Equipment:
HME TypeModelSizeQuantityRef. Date
Bulldozer ....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Jul 20, 2012
Bulldozer ....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Jul 20, 2012
Excavator ....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Jul 20, 2012
Excavator ....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Jul 20, 2012
Excavator ....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Jul 20, 2012
Grader ....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Jul 20, 2012
Loader (FEL) ....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Jul 20, 2012
Loader (FEL) ....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Jul 20, 2012
Loader (FEL) ....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Jul 20, 2012
Truck (dump) 100 t ....................... Subscription required Mar 1, 2021
Truck (dump) ....................... Subscription required 50 t ....................... Subscription required Jul 20, 2012
Truck (water) ....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Jul 20, 2012
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Mine Management:

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Apr 5, 2021
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Apr 5, 2021
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Apr 5, 2021
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Apr 5, 2021
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Staff:

EmployeesYear
Subscription required 2016
Subscription required 2015

Corporate Filings & Presentations:

DocumentYear
................................... Subscription required 2020
................................... Subscription required 2019
................................... Subscription required 2019
................................... Subscription required 2019
Annual Report 2018
Annual Report 2017
Press Release 2017
Integrated Report 2016
Corporate Presentation 2015
Technical Report 2012
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Aerial view:

Subscription required - Subscription is required.

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