African Mining Network

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AMN - GUINEA: Sample program for Balandougou

Preparations for Stellar AfricaGold’s bulk sample program at the Balandougou Gold Project in Guinea are on schedule and on budget. The program will process 15,000 tonnes of surface oxide mineralisation from the project’s B3 Zone where a 72kg composite sample used for metallurgical testing returned an average grade of 3.5 g/t gold.

The primary objective of the program is to investigate the suitability of the B3 oxide mineralisation to gold extraction and recovery using gravity separation as the sole or primary method of gold recovery. Gravity separation is the most environmentally friendly gold extraction method because no chemicals are used in the gold extraction process. It is also the most economical solution for processing surface oxide deposits.

All essential preparations for the bulk sample program, including metallurgical testing, environmental and social impact study, acquisition of the pilot plant, and surface stripping and site infrastructure, are either well-advanced or completed.

The B3 shear zone was first discovered by Stellar during a regional and detailed soil geochemistry survey in 2010. A strong NW-SE trending gold anomaly approximately 1150 metres long by 350 metres wide was outlined.

The geochemical anomaly was subsequently investigated with 76 reverse circulation drill holes totalling 5050 metres at a 50 metre grid interval along an 800 metre strike length, and then by 16 diamond drill holes totalling 2350 metres.

Using an excavator, five trenches at 100 metre intervals to a depth of more than 3 metres were dug across the B3 zone, and an extensive structural analysis was undertaken by AECOM, an independent consultant, to better understand the controls of the gold mineralisation.

In preparation for the bulk sample program and to qualify the B3 zone oxide mineralisation for this kind of testing, Stellar has initiated or completed the following:

  • Metallurgical testing of B3 oxide mineralisation including a four-stage gravity separation test
  • Environmental and social impact study
  • Engineering design and construction of a 15 tonnes per hour gravity separation pilot plant,
  • Construction of surface infrastructure.

Stellar AfricaGold is a Canadian gold exploration company based in Montreal, Quebec, with operations concentrated mainly in West Africa and in Quebec. The company is developing the promising gold potential of the Balandougou project in Guinea, which is at an advanced exploration stage, as well as of the Namarana project in Mali.

www.stellarafricagold.com