Buzwagi

 

Mine profile

Characteristics

Buzwagi is a shear-hosted quartz-veined deposit, hosted in porphyritic granite.

Life and reserves

Life-of-mine is currently estimated to be around 10+ years, based on its proven and probable gold reserves of 2,697,000 ounces.

Location

The Buzwagi mine is located in northwest Tanzania in the Kahama district of the Shinyanga region, approximately 97 km from Bulyanhulu and 6 km southeast from the town of Kahama.

Capacity

The mill is designed with a throughput capacity of 12,000 tonnes of ore per day (c. 4.4 million tonnes per year) and produces both doré and copper/gold concentrate.

Access

Buzwagi is well connected. The site lies immediately beside a paved highway and a 1,580-metre airstrip. It is also only 40 km from Isaka, a railway hub with links to the port of Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean.

Climate

The annual average temperature ranges from 16° – 29°C. Average annual rainfall in the region is 953mm.

The site

The Buzwagi mine is a low grade bulk deposit with a single large open pit.

2012 Performance

Key mine statistics Year ended 31 December Contribution to total Group ounces (Oz)
2012 2011 % variance 165,770
Tonnes mined (Kt) 28,563 21,534 32%

Ore tonnes mined (Kt) 4,223 3,545 19%
Ore milled (Kt) 3,715 2,993 24%
Head grade (g/t) 1.6 2.3 (31%)
Mill recovery (%) 87.3% 88.0% (1%)
Ounces produced (Oz) 165,770 196,541 (16%)
Ounces sold (Oz) 155,322 200,518 23%
Cash cost per ounce sold (US$/Oz) 1,087 691 57%
Cash cost per tonne milled (US$/t) 45 46 (2%)
Copper production (Klbs) 6,773 7,201 (6%)
Copper sold (Klbs) 5,628 7,353 (24%)
Capital expenditure (US$’000) 98,054 83,203 18%

Immediate Priorities

  • Continue to operate at nameplate capacity in the process plant
  • Sustain increased level of mining rates
  • Optimise the power mix for the mine
  • Minimise additional capital investment