Tulawaka

 

Mine profile

Characteristics

The Tulawaka mine comprises two ore bodies, the East Zone and the West Zone. The East Zone is the main gold deposit.

Life and reserves

Tulawaka has proven and probable gold reserves of 16,000 ounces and is expected to close in mid 2013.

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

Tulawaka consists of a completed open pit mine with an underground access ramp located at the bottom of the pit. All capital and operating costs associated with the Tulawaka mine and net cash generated by the mine are divided on a 70:30 basis between ABG and MDN Inc.

2012 Performance

Key mine statistics Year ended 31 December Contribution to total Group ounces (Oz)
2012 2011 % variance 31,028
Underground ore tonnes hoisted (Kt) 124 144 (14%)

Ore milled (Kt) 185 291 (36%)
Head grade (g/t) 5.5 6.6 (17%)
Mill recovery (%) 95.5% 95.1% 0.4%
Ounces produced (Oz) 31,028 58,871 (47%)
Ounces sold (Oz) 31,920 58,415 (45%)
Cash cost per ounce sold (US$/oZ) 1,269 727 75%
Cash cost per tonne milled(US$/t) 219 146 50%
Capital expenditure (US$'000) 24,588 31,652 (22%)

Immediate priorities

  • Harvest high grade pillars and close/divest operation
  • Implement closure plan in conjunction with the Tanzanian government
  • Redeploy employees within our other operations