The construction of the Séguéla gold project, in Côte d’Ivoire, is continuing to track on time and on budget, despite a particularly heavy wet season, Fortuna Silver Mines COO for West Africa, David Whittle, reported on Thursday.
The project, which entails a 3 750 t/d mill at Séguéla, is about 83% complete and the first gold pour remains on target for mid-2023.
Fortuna said that deliveries continued to arrive in Abidjan, Côte d´Ivoire with all semiautogenous grinding (SAG) mill components now shipped. The last SAG mill package would arrive in early December.
Construction of the 90 kV transmission line and substation is nearing completion and on track to be energised in December.
The company further reported that about 565 000 m3 of water has collected in the water storage dam, which is in line with expectations and needs for commissioning and startup activities. Earthworks and high-density polyethylene lining of the tailings storage facility is on track for completion before the end of 2022.
The mining contractor has mobilised to site and has started establishment activities.
“The operation is now moving forward with its recruitment and on-boarding of key senior personnel allowing for the development of the operational procedures and systems in order to facilitate a smooth transition from construction into operation,” reported Whittle. 