West African gold explorer and developer Tietto Minerals Limited (ASX: TIE) has commenced wet commissioning its 4.5Mtpa CIL processing system at its 3.45Moz Abujar Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa.
To build a gold mine the size of Abujar in less than 12 months is a monumental achievement,” Tietto Managing Director, Dr Caigen Wang, said.
“To do it during COVID with supply chain issues, escalated pricing and skilled people shortage made it, almost, mission impossible. Our in‐house construction team has demonstrated it can be delivered through careful planning, diligent management and hard work.
“What a great team and achievement led by the captain, our COO Matthew Wilcox.
“I would like to thank our mine construction team, ESG team, mining team, contractors and consultants, local communities, government authorities at various levels and many more.
“We would also like to thank our shareholders who have put us in a position where we have no debt, zero hedging and in a position to produce ~260,000 ounces in the first 12 months of production once we reach commercial production.”
Next Steps
Tietto has no debt with zero gold hedging and Abujar is forecast to produce 260,000oz gold in its first year of production. Tietto is uniquely positioned to advance its dual strategy of ‘Drill and Build’ as we moved into 2023:
1. Continue to drive rapid resource growth at the 3.45Moz Abujar Gold Project; and
2. Increase the gold production profile of the Abujar Gold Project.
Tietto aims to complete up to 120,000m of diamond drilling in CY23 with its fleet of eight rigs in operation at Abujar and on track to deliver a resource update in Q1 CY23.
Upon Tietto achieving first gold at the Abujar Gold Project, Abujar will become West Africa’s newest producing gold mine.