Sukari Gold Mine

SUKARI UNDERGROUND EXPLORATION 

Exploration at Sukari is currently focussed on defining targets close to existing infrastructure which can be quickly and cost effectively brought into the mine planning process, while also continuing to test the depth and strike extents (which remain open) that underpin the longer term potential of the underground mine and the mine expansion plan.

Amun and Ptah

Amun and Ptah are the main current production areas of the underground mine. Mineral Reserves that may be developed in these areas are proximal to existing infrastructure and therefore can be brought into the mining schedule quickly and cost effectively.

Horus

The Horus zone sits at depth beneath the Amun zone and represents the long-term future of the underground operations. Mining development is currently pushing into the upper levels of Horus enabling the establishment of drill platforms from which the Horus Deeps zone is being developed.

Bonanza Zones

The Company identified the presence of high grade ‘Bonanza Zones’ in the Bast Zone in 2021, these zones sit within close proximity to existing mining infrastructure. Drilling in this area, demonstrates a consistent geological host within 100m of existing infrastructure which could improve underground operational flexibility through the development of a new high-grade mining area in the near-term.

SUKARI SURFACE EXPLORATION 

Exploration work has identified multiple shallow open pit gold satellite targets within the mining concession which have the potential to supplement Sukari mill feed, in the short to medium term, improving operational flexibility. All these prospects are located within 10km of the Sukari mill.

REGIONAL EXPLORATION 

Exploration within the Sukari Mining Concession (“SMC”)

Outside of 2.7km strike Sukari orebody, there are numerous identified regional prospects within the 160km² exploitation license. Ongoing surface exploration work aims to explore these potential satellite deposits and identify further targets to incrementally grow the resource ounces and add low capital mill feed for the  Sukari processing facility.  

The exploration strategy is to systematically explore and drill-test the numerous targets across the SMC. The exploration programme will progressively focus on these prospects over the near to medium-term.

In 2021, exploration work identified seven key prospect areas within the SMC which will be followed up with systematic drill testing.

At Sukari, the Egyptian Mineral Resource Authority (“EMRA”), a division of the Egyptian government, is the Company’s partner, and is entitled to 50% of the operating profits from Sukari Gold Mine, as per the terms of the Concession Agreement. A representative from EMRA is present on site at all times.

MINERAL RESOURCES

Cut-off grades: Open pit of 0.3g/t; underground of 1.0g/t; and stockpiles of 0.4g/t

MINERAL RESERVES

Open pit and stockpiles 0.4g/t cut-off, underground 2.2g/t cut-off