North Mara

Mine profile

Characteristics

The North Mara gold deposits are situated in the Mara Musoma greenstone belt. There are several types of gold mineralisation including shear-zone-related quartz vein and disseminated gold.

Life and reserves

The life-of-mine is estimated at around ten years, based on its proven and probable gold reserves of 3,485,000 ounces.

Location

The North Mara gold mine is located in northeast Tanzania in the Tarime district of the Mara region. It is around 100 km east of Lake Victoria and 20 km south of the Kenyan border.

Access

The site is served by the national road system and there is an airstrip 7 km from the processing plant.

Climate

The annual average temperature ranges from 16° – 29°C. Average annual rainfall for the region is 1,300mm.

The site

The North Mara mine consists of three open pit deposits: Nyabirama, Gokona and Nyabigena and development potential at Komarera. There is also a process plant, together with waste rock dumps, a tailings containment pond and other associated facilities.

People

As at 31 December 2011, a total of 2,329 people were employed at North Mara consisting of 1,029 Group employees and 1,300 contracted personnel.

2011 Performance

Key mine statisticsYear ended 31 DecemberContribution to total Group ounces (Oz)
2011 2010 % variance170,832
Tonnes mined (Kt) 21,808 20,106 8%

Ore tonnes mined (Kt) 2,254 2,624 (14%)
Ore milled (Kt) 3,070 2,860 7%
Head grade (g/t) 2.1 2.8 (25%)
Mill recovery (%) 80.6% 82.9% (3%)
Ounces produced (Oz) 170,832 212,947 (20%)
Ounces sold (Oz) 170,625 218,684 (22%)
Cash cost per ounce sold (US$/Oz) 810 472 72%
Cash cost per tonne milled (US$/t) 45 36 25%
Capital expenditure (US$’000) 123,146 91,442 35%
  • Focus for 2011 was a planned and substantial waste stripping programme at Gokona and Nyabirama to open higher grade zones for future years
  • Gold production for the year was 170,832 ounces, (down 20%)
  • Gold ounces sold were 170,625, inline with production and down 22% compared to 2010, at a cash cost of $810 per ounce.

Immediate priorities

  • Complete the commissioning of water treatment plant for the discharge of the EPO
  • Finalise analysis of potential Gokona lateral pit extension and resulting resequencing of the Gokona Underground project
  • Progress our objectives under the North Mara Co-Existence Plan
  • Complete licence renewal and permitting process
  • Complete construction of site safety walls
  • Complete the upgrades to the gold plant circuit and the detoxification plant
  • Progress the Nyabirama Underground project into a feasibility study