Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE, OTCQX: ORZCF)
(“Orezone”) is pleased to provide an update on the hard rock
expansion at its Bomboré Gold Mine. The hard rock expansion is
forecasted to increase annual gold production to over 170,000
ounces, an approximate 50% increase from current levels, with first
gold planned in Q4-2025.
Site works are well-advanced with the plant-site
area cleared and all major earthworks complete. Laydown areas have
been prepared and are ready to receive construction equipment,
offices, and major plant deliveries. Camp upgrades for construction
supervision and teams are also now operational.
Engineering and Procurement
Lycopodium Minerals Canada (“Lycopodium”) was
awarded the engineering and procurement contract and is ahead of
schedule on both activities. Lycopodium was selected due to their
successful track record of designing and constructing numerous gold
plants in West Africa, including the Company’s Phase I oxide plant
that is currently in operation and exceeding nameplate design.
In terms of procurement, the Company has placed
over 50% of all packages including CIL tank platework and 95% of
all process equipment. This includes the purchase of a 9MW 26’
diameter SAG mill. The SAG mill is a new, pre-owned mill that was
never installed and carries a full warranty by the supplier.
Substantial savings in costs and schedule are being realized from
the purchase of this manufactured mill. The mill shells, heads and
ring gear are now being packaged for shipment later this quarter
which is well ahead of schedule.
Site Construction
Activities
The concrete installation contract was recently
awarded with mobilization of the batch plant and equipment
scheduled for mid-November, three months ahead of schedule.
The tank platework supply was awarded in
September, and bids for the structural steel and general platework
are under evaluation and will be awarded in November.
The main Structural, Mechanical, and Piping
installation contract is expected to be awarded in Q1-2025, which
again will be ahead of schedule.
Mining Fleet and Explosives
Magazine
The first shipment of the hard rock fleet by the
mining contractor, which includes new trucks and excavators, has
arrived in Burkina Faso and will be transported to site in late
October. This early delivery will allow for systematic training of
operators well ahead of the start of hard rock mining and will
facilitate more cost-effective mining of the lower transition
material in the near-term. The remaining hard rock fleet will be
delivered to site over the coming six to eight months.
The explosives magazine is in the final stages
of completion. Once in service, the Company will be able to
purchase and store bulk explosives for mixing and preparation at
site, eliminating the need for the more costly pre-mix batch
deliveries. A full-service team from AECI will be on site to mix
and supply the downhole explosives for blasting of transition and
hard rock material.
Patrick Downey, President & CEO stated, “I
am extremely pleased with the fast progress made to date on the
hard rock expansion. The team has focused on critical areas to
accelerate site activities and to meet or exceed key milestones. We
look forward to sharing regular updates on this important
expansion.”
Figure 1: Hard Rock Plant
Area
About Orezone Gold
Corporation
Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE OTCQX: ORZCF)
is a West African gold producer engaged in mining, developing, and
exploring its flagship Bomboré Gold Mine in Burkina Faso. The
Bomboré mine achieved commercial production on its oxide operations
on December 1, 2022, and is now focused on its staged hard rock
expansion that is expected to materially increase annual and
life-of-mine gold production from the processing of hard rock
mineral reserves. Orezone is led by an experienced team focused on
social responsibility and sustainability with a proven track record
in project construction and operations, financings, capital markets
and M&A.
The technical report entitled Bomboré Phase II
Expansion, Definitive Feasibility Study is available on SEDAR+ and
the Company’s website.
Patrick DowneyPresident and Chief Executive
Officer
Vanessa PickeringManager, Investor Relations
Tel: 1 778 945 8977 / Toll Free: 1 888 673
0663info@orezone.com / www.orezone.com
For further information please contact
Orezone at +1 (778) 945 8977 or visit the Company’s
website at
www.orezone.com.
The Toronto Stock Exchange neither approves nor
disapproves the information contained in this news release.
QUALIFIED PERSONS
Dale Tweed, P. Eng., VP Engineering and Rob
Henderson, P. Eng. VP Technical Services of Orezone, are Qualified
Persons under NI 43-101 and have reviewed and approved the
scientific and technical information contained in this news
release.
Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain information
that may constitute “forward-looking information” within the
meaning of applicable Canadian Securities laws and “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws
(together, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking
statements are frequently characterized by words such as “plan”,
“expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”,
“potential”, “possible” and other similar words, or statements that
certain events or conditions “may”, “will”, “could”, or “should”
occur. Forward-looking statements in this press release include,
but are not limited to, statements with respect to the hard rock
expansion including the increase in gold production.
All such forward-looking statements are based on
certain assumptions and analyses made by management in light of
their experience and perception of historical trends, current
conditions and expected future developments, as well as other
factors management and the qualified persons believe are
appropriate in the circumstances.
All forward-looking statements are subject to a
variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could
cause actual events or results to differ materially from those
projected in the forward-looking statements including, but not
limited to, delays caused by pandemics, terrorist or other violent
attacks (including cyber security attacks), the failure of parties
to contracts to honour contractual commitments, unexpected changes
in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable
authorities; the failure of parties to contracts to perform as
agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices;
unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, the possibility
of unanticipated costs and expenses, accidents and equipment
breakdowns, political risk, unanticipated changes in key management
personnel and general economic, market or business conditions, the
failure of exploration programs, including drilling programs, to
deliver anticipated results and the failure of ongoing and
uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing
needed in the future, and other factors described in the Company's
most recent annual information form and management discussion and
analysis filed on SEDAR+. Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements.
Although the forward-looking statements
contained in this press release are based upon what management of
the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot
assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are
made as of the date of this press release and are expressly
qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject
to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any
obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements
contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after
the date of this press release.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a33214c6-4db5-42c0-8910-83291abd3045
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