B2Gold flags early start to Fekola

CANADIAN miner B2Gold has completed construction of its Fekola gold mine in Mali and has flagged commercial production to start this month, four months ahead of schedule.

According to its Q3 report, B2Gold began processing ore from Fekola in September, and achieved first pour at the mine on 7 October.

The mill treated 324,525 tonnes of ore at an average grade of 3.40 grams per tonne (g/t) – above its budgeted mark of 2.33g/t – to produce a total of 33,946 ounces of gold in the month.

Over its initial ten year mine life, Fekola is projected to produce an average of 345,000ozpa at an AISC of $664 per ounce.