Characteristics
The Tulawaka mine comprises two ore bodies, the East Zone and the West Zone. The East Zone is the main gold deposit. The West Zone is still being explored.
Life and reserves
Tulawaka’s life-of-mine is currently estimated to take the operation through to the end of 2012. As at 31st December 2011 Tulawaka had proven and probable gold reserves of 64,000 ounces.
Location
The Tulawaka gold mine is located in northwest Tanzania in Biharamulo district of the Kagera region and borders the Bukombe district of the Shinyanga region, southwest of Lake Victoria near the northwest border with Rwanda.
Access
The main paved highway from the railway line from Isaka to Burundi passes about 20 km to the south of the mine. The old Dar es Salaam to Burundi laterite road crosses the property 3 km south of the camp. Local roads connect the property to the Geita-Biharamulo laterite road.
Climate
The annual average temperature ranges between 25° and 40°C. The average annual rainfall is in the region of 860mm.
The site
The mine comprises a completed open pit mine with an underground access ramp located at the bottom of the pit, waste rock dumps, an ore stockpile area and crushing plant, a processing plant, and water, waste disposal and ancillary facilities. Current operating capacity of the mill operations is approximately 1,320 tonnes per day.
People
As at 31 December 2011, a total of 1,043 people were employed at Tulawaka. 493 were Group employees and 550 were contracted personnel.