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Updated Kiniero Feasibility Study Achieves Increase +46% in Gold Reserves and +89% NPV to US$322M

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Updated Kiniero Feasibility Study Achieves Increase +46% in Gold Reserves and +89% NPV to US$322M

 

 

 

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Increased Reserves Life Of Mine: Mineral Reserves increased by 442,000oz or 46% to 1.41 million ounces from Kiniero’s 2023 Feasibility Study;
  • Potential to grow Mineral Reserves: Kiniero has Indicated Mineral Resources (inclusive of Mineral Reserves) at 2.2Moz @ 0.96g/t Au, plus Inferred Mineral Resources of 1.53Moz @ 1.05g/t Au (effective September 1 2024); More than 25,000 metres of drilling completed since the database cut off. An updated Reserve Statement to include this drill data is scheduled to be released in Q2 2025;
  • Improved economics: The updated study demonstrates increase in pre-tax Net Present Value at a discount rate of 5%
    • Base Case (Gold Price US$1,800/oz)
      • Pre-tax NPV: US$480M,
      • Pre-tax IRR: 47%.
      • Post-tax NPV: US$322M,
      • Post-tax IRR: 36%.
    • Consensus Case (Gold Price: US$2,330/oz): Pre-tax NPV of US$940M, Pre-tax IRR of 79%, Post-tax NPV of US$647M, Post-tax IRR of 61%.
    • Stronger economic metrics compared to the 2023 FS (US$1650/oz gold price), which demonstrated pre-tax NPV5% of US$251M and IRR of 42%; post-tax NPV5% of US$170M with IRR of 31%;
  • Average annual gold production: Kiniero expected to produce 139,000 ounces gold per year over 9-year mine life with average production of 154,000oz over the first six years;
  • Costs in line with Budget: LoM All-In Sustaining Costs of US$1,066 /oz, increasing by 9% from 2023 FS (US$980/oz);
  • Improved strip ratio: LoM Strip Ratio of 2.0:1, from 2.8:1 in the 2023 FS; helping to lower mining costs.

 

 

Robex Resources Inc. (TSX-V: RBX) is pleased to announce the results of an updated feasibility study for Its Kiniero Gold Project in Conakry, Guinea.

 

Using a base case gold price of US$1800/oz, the Study demonstrates Kiniero’s ability to produce an average of 139,000oz of gold per year at a US$1,066/oz AISC over the 9-year LoM, with an average gold production of 154,000oz per year in the first six years. Mine plan optimization efforts prioritized a stable, long mine life, rather than peak upfront production.

 

Robex is on track to pour first gold at Kiniero in Q4 2025, with construction already underway on the 5 million tonne per annum processing plant, with a 6Mtpa capacity on early year high oxide blends and associated infrastructure. The company will continue its near-mine exploration efforts to extend the LoM rapidly in conjunction with the annual production. Robex is still in advance discussions with lenders for a debt facility which is expected to close in Q1 2025.

 

Robex Managing Director Matthew Wilcox commented: “Updating the feasibility study for our Kiniero Gold Project in Guinea is a major milestone in our journey towards project development, as the FS optimizations and updated Mineral Resource Estimate have delivered increased Mineral Reserves and stronger economics for the project. The base case gold price of US$1,800/oz post-tax NPV now stands at US$322 million with an IRR of 36%, which have both improved +89% on the 2023 FS results within a very short period. At consensus price of US$2,330/oz the post tax NPV5% stands at US$647m or A$1bn.

 

In addition, with the high prospectivity of our property we will be growing the current production and LoM very rapidly. We expect to average gold production of nearly 140,000oz of gold a year over the project’s 9-year life, with early gold production of 153,000oz a year over the first six years ideally timed to benefit from the current high gold price environment.

 

An additional 25,000m of drilling has been completed and it will be part of an updated MRE to potentially further increase the resources and reserves which should be released in Q2, 2025.

 

With construction now progressing well at Kiniero we issue market updates frequently; we look forward to our ASX listing in coming months and becoming West Africa’s newest gold producer before the end of 2025.”

 

The FS was prepared in accordance with Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

 

The independent NI 43-101 technical report supporting the Kiniero Gold Project Feasibility Study Update will be published on SEDAR at www.sedar.com within the next 45 days.

 

The FS was prepared in accordance with Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

 

The independent NI 43-101 technical report supporting the Kiniero Gold Project Feasibility Study Update will be published on SEDAR at www.sedar.com within the next 45 days.

 

Table 1 compares the results of the updates study with the 2023 FS.

 

Table 1: 2024 Improvements on from 2023 FS results

 

Item Units 2023 FS @
US$1,650/oz gold
price
2024 FS @
US$1,800/oz gold
price
Variation
Probable Mineral Reserves
(incl. legacy stockpiles)
Moz 0.968 1.41 +46%
LoM Year 9.5 9 -5.2%
Average annual production LoM koz 90 139 +54%
Pre-production Capital US$M 160 243 +52%
LoM AISC US$/oz 980 1,023 +4%
Pre-tax NPV5%* US$M 251 480 +91%
Pre-tax IRR % 42% 47% +12%
Post-tax NPV5% US$M 170 322 +89%
Post-tax IRR % 31% 36% +16%

*NPV in the 2023 FS calculated as of 1st of July 2023 while the NPV in 2024 FS estimated as of 1st of September 2024

 

Update on Construction Activities at Kiniero

 

The Kiniero Gold Project construction has commenced with civil (concrete) works on the process plant, the erection of the Carbon-in Leach/Gravity tanks, and the clearing of the tailings dam basin.

 

The Project engineering is approximately 75% complete, all long lead items have been purchased, and 95% of other equipment has been tendered.

 

The Project is currently on track to pour first gold by the end of calendar year 2025.

 

Highlights of Updated Feasibility Study

 

Ore mined from the Kiniero deposit is expected to be processed through a standard 5Mtpa nominal capacity CIL plant. The mine is expected to be an open pit using conventional mining methods.

 

Table 2: Kiniero 2024 FS Highlights

 

  Units Value
Plant, size and CAPEX    
Plant capacity (@35% Fresh) Mtpa 5
Plant capacity (@18% Fresh) Mtpa 6
Upfront capital from January 1, 2023 US$M 243
Mineral Reserves and Resources (incl. legacy stockpiles)    
Probable Mineral Reserves Moz 1.41
Indicated Resources (incl. Reserves) Moz 2.203
Inferred Resources Moz 1.52
Mining Operations    
LoM total tonnes mined Mt 119
LoM waste tonnes mined Mt 80
LoM ore tonnes mined ex pit Mt 39
Average grade mined g/t Au 1.04
LoM strip ratio W:O 2.0
Processing Operations    
LoM tonnage processed Mt 45
Average grade processed g/t Au 0.97
Average recovery LoM % 86.2%
Production and Costs Summary    
LoM production koz/Au 1,215
Average first three years of production pa koz/Au 153
Average LoM production pa koz/Au 139
AISC US$/oz 1,066

Table 3: Summary of NPV, IRR and payback at $1800/oz and consensus forward gold price

 

  Units US$1,800/oz
(Reserve Gold Price)
US$ ~2,330/oz
(2024 Consensus gold price*)
Pre-tax returns      
NPV5% US$M 480 940
IRR % 47% 79%
Payback period year 2.1 1.3
Post-tax returns      
NPV5% US$M 322 647
IRR % 36% 61%
Payback period year 2.6 1.6

*the S&P consensus long term gold price at end of October 2024, ranging between US$2431/oz and US$2,320/oz

 

As shown in Figure 1 below, the Study demonstrates Kiniero’s ability to deliver an average of 139koz of gold per annum at an AISC of US$1,066/oz over the LoM at consensus gold price, as mine plan optimization efforts prioritized a stable, long mine life, rather than peak upfront production. Over the coming years, Robex intends to continue its exploration efforts to continue to extend the LoM and increase annual production.

 

Figure 1: Gold Production and AISC Summary across the LoM

 

 

FEASIBILITY STUDY DETAILS

 

Overview

 

The Project is located in eastern Guinea in the Kouroussa Prefecture. It is situated 27km southeast of the town of Kouroussa and 546km from Conakry, the capital of Guinea (Figure 2: Regional Locality of the Kiniero Gold Project and Regional Infrastructure of Guinea).

 

The Kiniero Gold Project is a 470.48km² exploitation and exploration land package that consists of the adjoining Kiniero exploitation Licence Area and Mansounia exploitation Licence Area. The Kiniero Gold Project is one of the largest gold licences in Guinea.

 

Figure 2: Regional Locality of the Kiniero Gold Project and Regional Infrastructure of Guinea

 

 

Kiniero gold deposits, located in the prolific gold-producing Siguiri Basin, were discovered in the early 1900s and were subsequently explored until 2002 when gold production began under the ownership of SEMAFO Inc and its subsidiary SEMAFO Guinée SA.

 

The historical Kiniero gold mine comprised an open pit mining operation that produced 418,000 ounces of gold during its 12-year operational history. The mine was placed on care and maintenance in early 2014.

 

Given the strong exploration potential, a combination of near plant brownfields infill and known extension, as well as greenfield large-scale targets, Robex is targeting (i) the discovery of Mineral Resources across the Kiniero exploration permit area over the next few years, and (ii) the conversion of Mineral Resources into Mineral Reserves.

 

An extensive drilling program is ongoing on the numerous identified deposits to increase the resource base and extend the LoM at Kiniero predominately through extending the drilling density at depth and along known strike extensions.

 

Since the beginning of the construction, Robex has been committed to involve village communities in the mine’s development, as well as exploring sustainable power energy source to reduce and limit its environmental footprint.

 

Geology

 

The property is located within the Kiniero Gold District of the Siguiri Basin, which is situated in north-eastern Guinea, extending into central Mali. Geologically, the Siguiri Basin comprises a portion of the West Africa Birimian Greenstone Belt, including intrusive volcanics (ultramafics to intermediate) and sediments largely deposited through the period 2.13 Ga to 2.07 Ga.

 

The volcanic and sedimentary lithologies comprise fine-grained sedimentary rocks (shales and siltstones), with some intercalated volcanic rocks. Sandstone-greywacke tectonic corridors have been preferentially altered and locally silicified, supporting extensive brittle fracture networks. These in turn have provided host environments for ascending mineralized hydrothermal fluids.

 

The deposits located on the property are associated with the Proterozoic Birimian orogeny of West Africa. Most gold mineralization in the West African Craton is shear-zone-hosted and structurally controlled, with lithology having a minor, local influence. The mineralization developed in the Kiniero Gold District conforms to this general style of mineralization.

 

A total of 47 gold anomalies have been identified on the property, of which five clusters of deposits (Sabali, Mansounia, SGA, Jean, and Balan) have been explored sufficiently to enable the estimation of Mineral Resources.

 

Figure 3: Location of the main Kiniero deposits and cross sections (A-B, C-D) and Figure 4: Cross sections through the SGA (A-B) Sabali South (C-D) deposits illustrate the location of the main Kiniero deposits and cross sections through the SGA and Sabali South deposits. The selected cross sections display the 0.3g/t gold grade shell, Pit and RPEE (Reasonable Prospects of Economic Extraction) Shells, significant gold intercepts (minimum of 2m @ 0.5g/t), and regolith profiles across each deposit. Section A-B, across SGA, demonstrates the deposit’s significant northeast strike and depth extension. Section C-D, across Sabali South, shows the deposit’s deep weathering saprolite and saprock profile in the east (beyond 100m in areas).

 

Section E-F, across Mansounia Central, shows the depth extension of the northeast strike.

 

Figure 3: Location of the main Kiniero deposits and cross sections (A-B, C-D, E-F)

 

 

Figure 4: Cross sections through the SGA (A-B), Sabali South (C-D) and Mansounia Central (E-F) deposit

 

 

Mineral Reserves and Resources

 

The January 2025 FS update is based on the updated Mineral Resources Estimate, as shown in Table 4 below, which has a resource-to-reserve conversion ratio for the in-situ estimate of 66%. The MRE includes the Mineral Reserves.

 

Table 4: Mineral Reserves and Resources Summary

 

100% basis Tonnage (Mt) Grade
(Au g/t)
Content (koz)
Probable Mineral Reserves (in-situ) 39.3 1.04 1,320
Probable Mineral Reserves (Legacy Stockpiles) 6.3 0.48 100
Total Probable Mineral Reserves 45.5 0.97 1,410
Indicated Mineral Resources (in-situ) 59.62 1.08 2,064
Indicated (Legacy Stockpiles) 11.61 0.37 139
Total Indicated Mineral Resources (incl. of. Mineral Reserves) 71.23 0.96 2,203
Inferred Mineral Resources (in-situ) 45.10 1.05 1,519
Inferred (Legacy Stockpiles) 0.19 1.31 8
Total Inferred Mineral Resources 45.29 1.05 1,527


Notes:

  1. The effective date of the Mineral Resource and Reserves is 30 November 2024.
  2. The date of closure for the sample database informing the in situ Mineral Resources excluding Mansounia, is 17 August 2022. The date of database closure for the Mansounia MRE is 16 October 2024.
  3. Cut-off grades for Mineral Resource reporting are:
  4. SGA, Jean and Banfara: laterite 0.3 g/t Au, saprolite (oxide) 0.3 g/t Au, saprock (transition) 0.3 g/t Au, fresh 0.4 g/t Au.
  5. Sabali South: laterite 0.3 g/t Au, mottled zone/saprolite/lower saprolite (oxide) 0.3 g/t Au, saprock (transition) 0.5 g/t Au, fresh 0.6 g/t Au.
  6. Sabali North and Central: laterite 0.3 g/t Au, saprolite (oxide) 0.3 g/t Au, saprock (transition) 0.6 g/t Au, fresh 0.6 g/t Au.
  7. West Balan: laterite 0.3 g/t Au, saprolite (oxide) 0.3 g/t Au, saprock (transition) 0.3 g/t Au, fresh 0.5 g/t Au.
  8. Mansounia Central: laterite 0.4 g/t Au, saprolite (oxide) 0.3 g/t Au, saprock (transition) 0.5 g/t Au, fresh 0.5 g/t Au.
  9. Stockpiles reported as Mineral Resources have been limited to those dumps which exhibit an average grade >0.3 g/t Au for the entire stockpile assuming no selectivity.
  10. These are based on a gold price of US$2,200/oz and costs and recoveries appropriate to each pit and type of feed.
  11. The QP for this MRE is Mr Ingvar Kircher.
  12. Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of Mineral Reserves.
  13. Open-pit Mineral Resources were constrained using optimum pit shells based on a gold price of US$2,200/oz.
  14. CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (CIM, 2014) were used for reporting the Mineral Reserve.
  15. Mineral Reserve was estimated using a long-term gold price of US$1,800 per troy oz for all mining areas.
  16. Mineral Reserve is stated in terms of delivered tonnes and grade before process recovery.
  17. Mineral Reserve was defined by pit optimization and pit design and is based on variable break-even cut-offs as generated by process destination and metallurgical recoveries.
  18. Metal recoveries are variable, dependent on material type and mining area.
  19. Dilution and ore loss was applied through application of 1.0 m dilution skins to the resource model using Mineable Shape Optimizer.
  20. The QP responsible for this item of the Technical Report is not aware of any mining, metallurgical, infrastructure, permitting, or other relevant factors that could materially affect the Mineral Reserve estimate.
  21. The Mineral Resource has been compiled in accordance with the guidelines outlined in CIM Definition Standards, (2014).
  22. The estimates may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, marketing, or other relevant issues. Please see “Forward Looking Statements” below and the technical report for the Kiniero Gold Project that will be prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and filed on SEDAR+ R at www.sedarplus.com within the next 45 day.
  23. Tonnage and grade measurements are in metric units. Contained Au is reported as troy ounces.
  24. Totals may not compute exactly due to rounding.

 

Exploration

 

The date of closure for the sample database informing the in situ Mineral Resources is 16 October 2024 for Mansounia, 17 August 2022 for all other Kiniero deposit areas and 12 November 2022 for the stockpile Mineral Resources.

 

Additional drilling that has been completed has not been included in this update of the resources and reserves, due to time constraints, is shown in Table 5.

 

Table 5 – Further drilling completed since database cut off date

 

Deposit No. Drillholes Metres*
SGA 56 8,123
Jean 14 2,165
GOB D & NEGD 38 6,499
Sabali North 2 240
Sabali Central 3 370
Sabali South 13 2,364
Mankan 43 5,633
Total 169 25,394

*These numbers are a combination of both reverse circulation and diamond drilling metres

 

Brownfields exploration will consist of trenching and drilling at and around the near-mine deposits. Drilling will be a combination of diamond and Reverse Circulation (“RC”) drilling and the purpose is twofold, namely Resource addition and Resource to Reserve conversion. Drilling will focus on four deposits: SGA, NEGD, Sabali South and Mansounia Central. SGA, NEGD and Sabali South will comprise Resource addition drilling by strike and depth extension, as well as Reserve conversion drilling.

 

A planned total of approximately 10,000m of diamond and 50,000m of RC drilling is planned for 2025 across various deposits. However, the drilling program will be an iterative process based on the ongoing results and the impact thereof. As a result, the plan may be changed and adapted to any changes in strategy.

 

Mining Operations

 

Mining at Kiniero is expected to be undertaken by conventional owner-operated truck and excavator open-pit mining in the SGA, Jean, SGD, Sabali South, Mansounia and Sabali North and Central pits using Komatsu PC1250-sized excavators mining on 5m benches and 2.5m flitches loading 40-tonne Komatsu HM400 haul trucks.

 

Mining in upper oxide layers will be free-dig with drill-and-blast required in areas that mine through the transitional material into fresh rock. The free-dig nature of the oxide zones has been confirmed by extensive previous mining at the site. Drill-and-blast will be required for approximately 30% of the oxide material, 100% of the laterite, 100% of the transitional, and 100% of the fresh.

 

Ore will be categorized by material and grade through in-pit grade control and will be hauled to the mine ore pad. Waste will be hauled to the nearest available waste dump by the Komatsu HM400 fleet.

 

Historic mining in Jean, SGA, and SGD has resulted in pit lakes that require dewatering and clean-up before mining.

 

The key mining infrastructure including pits, waste dumps, stockpiles, and haulage roads is shown in Figure 5.

 

Figure 5: Key Mining Infrastructure Layout

 

 

Processing Operations

 

Primero Pty Ltd. was commissioned by Robex to undertake the detailed re-design of the new processing plant to increase its capacity from 3Mtpa to expected throughput of 6Mtpa at 18% fresh in ore feed. The process plant design is based on a metallurgical flowsheet developed for flexible operation between the various types of ore while maintaining the throughput and gold recovery. Ore will be processed on-site, at a centrally located processing facility near the mining areas. The gold will be recovered in a beneficiation plant that has been designed to process a blend of oxide, laterite, transition, and fresh ores from various ore deposits.

 

Oxide and upper transition ores (soft) require less comminution energy than laterite and fresh ore (hard). However, they present other challenges in handling due to the sticky nature of oxide ore types, justifying dedicated crushing devices for soft and hard ores. The process plant design has been based on a nominal capacity of 5.0 Mtpa with 35% fresh in mill feed to 6.0 Mtpa with 18% fresh ore in feed. The flowsheet (Figure 6) includes two crushing circuits, semi-autogenous, ball grinding, and pebble crushing milling (SABC), dual CIL circuits, split Anglo-American Research Laboratories elution, gold electrowinning, and carbon regeneration that are well proven in the industry.

 

Figure 6: Process plant simplified block flow diagram

 

 

Infrastructure

 

The Project benefits from good infrastructure close to the site, and a limited relocation requirement as there are no villages on the site. Existing mining infrastructure will be refurbished with minimal additional infrastructure required.

 

In addition, early works have focused on advancing the site infrastructure to facilitate a smooth transition into construction. Site roads to the mine from the national road network, mine perimeter fence, and the earthworks for the construction camp have already been completed as part of the early works, incurred during 2024.

 

New infrastructure will be added to support mining, processing and waste management on the mining license including power transmission line, diesel generators, and additional site facilities and accommodation for staff.

 

Power

 

Due to the Project location, access to the Guinea national grid is not available, thus an on-site power generation solution is required. A Heavy Fuel Oil (“HFO”)-solar and battery storage hybrid power plant is proposed for the Project, consisting of HFO generators with a capacity of approximately 28 MW, a solar photo-voltaic (“PV”) plant with total capacity of approximately 21 MWp/ 16MW AC and the battery energy storage system (“BESS”) with a capacity of 5.2 MWh with 4 MW usable capacity and 4 MW power conversion system.

 

Water

 

Water for operations will be sourced from the existing raw water catchment dam (rainwater runoff collection), dewatering of historical pits, and boreholes. Potable water will be required for the mine site and both accommodation camps during operations and construction. Currently the Main Camp has borehole water supply available and at the Staff Camp, water will be obtained from the Niandan River.

 

Process water will be primarily sourced from recirculated tailings storage facility (“TSF”) water. It is continuously recirculated from the TSF, to the process water pond and to the processing plant, mainly in the milling area. A pump located in the process water feeds the process water distribution network of the mill. Raw water is added to the process water pond through the freshwater tank overflow to compensate for the process water losses. The proposed water supply is sufficient to meet the process plant requirements.

 

Tailings

 

Knight Piésold Consulting was commissioned by Robex to undertake detailed design of the TSF, based on work carried out for the 2023 Technical Report and supplementary work and studies carried out since the 2023 design. The proposed TSF is required to accommodate 60 Mt of tailings over a LoM of 10 years, at a rate of up to 0.5 Mt per month (up to 6 Mtpa). The required storage volume for the tailings was calculated using an estimated average in situ dry density of the tailings product of 1.39 t/m3, a particle SG of 2.77 t/m3, and an estimated average in situ void ratio of 1. Tailings will be pumped to the TSF in a slurry comprising 38%-42% solids by mass. The proposed TSF site has been selected as the preferred site for the development of the Kiniero Mine TSF based on the evaluation of the candidate sites. The TSF site was selected due to:

    • Reduced rock/earth fill volumes required to construct the main embankment of the TSF.
    • Opportunities for phasing allows capital expenditure to be spread over 3 phases.
    • The site allows a facility 32m high, fully lined with a downstream raised full-containment wall.
    • Elevation to the processing plant is more favourable than other options and avoids a deposition line running over the ridge between the existing TSF and other site options, which is favourable in terms of pumping costs.
    • The site would be less exposed during operational and closure phases.
    • Rehabilitation and closure of the TSF lends itself to relatively simple closure principles, without long-term storage of water, utilizing existing stormwater diversions to direct surface runoff off the TSF. The relatively smaller downstream embankment surface area for the TSF would require less material for the rehabilitation and vegetation of downstream slopes to the TSF.

 

The TSF is expected to be constructed in phases as a full containment facility incorporating an high density polyethylene liner to the basin and inside faces of the containment walls to mitigate against the potential for groundwater pollution. Phase 1 will comprise the initial embankment, causeway, interception trenches, diversion channel, collection pond and distribution system. Phases 2 and 3 will comprise downstream lifts for the TSF embankments until the final elevation is reached. Phase 3 will include partial progressive closure and construction of the post closure emergency spillway.

 

Management and monitoring systems will be implemented to ensure that risks associated with the facility are identified and mitigated in line with accepted practices and standards.

 

Figure 7: Site Infrastructure of the Kiniero complex

 

 

Operating Costs Summary

 

Mining operating cost estimates were prepared by AMC Consultants (UK) Ltd. Processing costs were prepared by Primero while Infrastructure and General and Administration operating cost estimates were prepared by Robex. LoM operating unit costs are summarised in the table below.

 

Table 6: LoM operating unit costs

 

Item Operating costs (US$/t ore processed)
Refining and transport charges 0.05
Mining Costs 9.0
Processing Costs 10.6
Maintenance Costs 0.7
General and Administration 2.1
Corporate Costs 1.6
Total 24.0

Capital Costs Summary

 

The process plant capital cost estimate was compiled by Primero with input from Knight Piésold on the TSF and Robex on the water infrastructure and site access roads. Robex has provided estimates for mine establishment, infrastructure facilities, high-voltage power supply and owner’s costs.

 

Starting September 1, 2024, the total LoM Capex is estimated at US$326m, including US$243m of pre-production Capex, US$19m of development Capex post-construction period and US$ 63m of sustaining Capex, as shown in the table below. The pre-production Capex include a 5.8% contingency. The LOM CapEx is summarized in Table 7.

 

Table 7: Capital Cost Estimate Summary

 

Category, in US$k Pre-Production
Capex
Capex during
operations
Sustaining Capex
over LoM
Total Capex LoM
Mining 29,150   1,863 31,014
Process Plant 104,533     104,533
TSF 12,868 19,129 10,889 42,886
Infrastructure 35,610     35,610
G&A 31,117     31,117
Other costs 18,968   17,771 36,738
Closure costs     32,856 32,856
Contingency 10,961   10,961
Total 243,207 19,129 63,380 325,716

 

The construction has commenced and $41m of the planned Capex has been spent at the end of December 2024.

 

The closure costs estimate was updated by ABS Africa increasing from $19.9m in 2023 to US$32.8m. This includes increased Preliminary and General Costs, Engineering Design and Environmental Permitting and contingency.

 

Environment and Social

 

Under the Mining Code, all applicants for an exploitation licence must submit an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment. Robex completed the ESIA in 2023. There are currently no known objections to Robex to the development of the Project.

 

The environmental permit for the Project was received and an Environmental and Social Management Plan is being implemented to guide Robex’s local community engagement as well as ensure it fulfils its environmental obligations, minimizing the mine’s impacts where possible. The ESMP Is currently based on the 2023 FS, however, the ESMP Is currently updated with the latest FS project design. The updated ESMP will be used to ensure compliance with environmental specifications, monitoring and management measures and will be implemented from site preparation through to decommissioning and closure.

 

Robex believes that its most significant contribution to sustainable and responsible development is to help its local employees obtain or complete their professional qualifications, thereby ensuring long careers. Robex intends to replicate the mine-school concept in Guinea from its existing operation in Mali, targeting a >90% local talent of its skilled workforce.

 

Ownership, Permitting, Taxes and Royalties

 

Once a mining convention is signed with the Government of Guinea, Robex will have an 85% ownership stake in Kiniero, while SOGUIPAMI (the Guinean state-owned mining company) will have a stake of 15%. Subject to the Government of Guinea’s 15% interest, Robex also has the exclusive rights to full ownership of the Mansounia exploitation license. Robex has submitted an application to the Government of Guinea to convert the licenses into exploitation. Ultimately, Robex will own 85% of Kiniero and Mansounia with the balance owned by the Guinean state. Both properties will be governed by the same mining convention.

 

Subject to adjustment with a mining convention the corporate tax rate of 30% has been applied in the FS. A royalty rate of 5.5%, a 1% contribution to the Local Mining Development Fund and a 0.5% private royalty were applied to all sales.

 

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

 

An economic analysis has been carried out for the Project using a cash flow model. The model has been constructed using annual cash flows considering annual processed tonnages and grades for the CIL feed, process recoveries, metal prices, operating costs and refining charges, royalties and capital expenditures (both pre-production and sustaining).

 

The economic model was run at two gold prices; Scenario 1 with gold price of US$1,800/oz used for the Mineral Reserve and Scenario 2 with the S&P consensus long term gold price at end of October 2024, ranging between US$2,431/oz and US$2,320/oz, as shown in Table 8.

 

Table 8: LoM Gold Price

 

LOM Gold Price Years 2026 2027 2028 Long Term
Scenario 1 Mineral Reserve US$/oz 1,800 1,800 1,800 1,800
Scenario 2 S&P consensus gold price (end of October 2024) US$/oz 2,431 2,314 2,320 2,320

 

The financial assessment of the Project is carried out on a “100% equity” basis and no provision has been made for the effects of inflation. Discounting and IRR calculations have been applied as of September 1, 2024, using a 5% discount rate.

 

Project costs included from July 2024 and sunk costs considered pre-July 2024 with commercial production in January 2026.

 

Table 9 – Costs summary across the LoM

 

Across the LoM, starting July 1, 2023 Total
US$M
Unit Cost
US$/t ore milled
Costs
US$/oz
Refining and transport charges 2 0.05 2
Mining costs 407 9.0 335
Processing costs 513 11.3 423
G&A Guinea 94 2.1 77
Total Site Costs 1,016 22.4 837
Government royalty 198 4.4 163
Private royalties 31 0.7 26
Total Operating Costs 1,246 27.5 1,025
Sustaining costs 50 1.1 41
All-In Sustaining Costs 1,296 28.6 1,066
G&A outside Guinea 70 1.5 57
Development costs 237 5.2 195
Closure costs 33 0.7 27
Total Costs 1,635 36.0 1,346

Table 10 – Summary of NPV, IRR and payback at $1800/oz and consensus forward gold price

 

  Units US$1,800/oz
(Reserve Gold Price)
US$ ~2,330/oz
(2024 Consensus gold price*)
Pre-tax returns      
NPV5% US$M 480 940
IRR % 47% 79%
Payback period year 2.1 1.3
Post-tax returns      
NPV5% US$M 322 647
IRR % 36% 61%
Payback period year 2.6 1.6

 

The Project value was assessed by undertaking sensitivity analyses using the consensus forward gold price (Scenario 2) on the gold price, operating costs, capital costs and discount rates:

 

Table 11 – NPV Sensitivity Gold Price

 

Gold Price Pre-tax NPV
(US$M)
Post Tax NPV
(US$M)
(15.0%) 639 434
(7.5%) 789 540
940 647
7.5% 1,090 753
15.0% 1,240 860

Table 12 – NPV Sensitivity Capital Costs

 

Capex Pre-tax NPV
(US$M)
Post Tax NPV
(US$M)
(15.0%) 969 670
(7.5%) 954 658
940 647
7.5% 925 636
15.0% 910 624

Table 13 – NPV Sensitivity Operating Costs

 

Opex Pre-tax NPV
(US$M)
Post Tax NPV
(US$M)
(15.0%) 1,056 731
(7.5%) 998 689
940 647
7.5% 881 605
15.0% 823 563
     

 

Table 14 – Discount rate Sensitivity

 

Discount Rate Pre-tax NPV
(US$M)
Post Tax NPV
(US$M)
5.0% 940 647
7.5% 816 557
10.0% 711 481

Qualified Person

 

Scientific or technical information in this press release that relates to Mineral Resources was prepared or supervised by Mr. Ingvar Kirchner, a full-time employee for AMC Consultants Pty Ltd. Mr Kirchner is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the project under consideration which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.

 

Scientific or technical information in this press release that relates to geology, exploration, drilling and sample preparation, analyses and security was prepared or supervised by Mr. Nicholas Szebor, a full-time employee for AMC Consultants UK Ltd. Mr Szebor is a Chartered Geologist with the Geological Society of London (CGeol) and the European Federation of Geologists (EurGeol) and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the project under consideration which he is undertaking to qualify as a QP under NI 43-101.

 

Scientific or technical information in this press release that relates to Mineral Reserves and Mining was prepared or supervised by Glen Williamson, a full-time employee for AMC Consultants Pty Ltd. Mr Williamson is a Fellow and Chartered Professional of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the project under consideration which he is undertaking to qualify as a QP under NI 43-101.

 

The scientific or technical information in this press release that relates to geotechnical engineering was prepared or supervised by Mr. Jody Thompson, founder and principal engineer of TREM Engineering in South Africa. Mr. Thompson is a certified rock mechanics engineer under the Chamber of Mines of South Africa, is a member in good standing with the South African Institute of Rock Engineering, a member of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a member of the International Society of Rock Mechanics; he has sufficient experience that is relevant to the commodity, style of mineralization under consideration and activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a QP under NI 43-101.

 

The scientific or technical information in this press release that relates to metallurgy and processing results was prepared or supervised by Mr. Ryan Cunningham, a full-time employee of Primero. Mr. Cunningham is a member of the Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ) and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the project under consideration which he is undertaking to qualify as a QP under NI 43-101.

 

The scientific or technical information in this press release that relates to tailings storage facility results was prepared or supervised by Mr. Darren Anthony King, a permanent employee of Knight Piésold Limited (UK) . Mr. King is a Chartered Geologist (Geological Society of London), Chartered Engineer and Environmentalist (Institute of Engineer) and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the project under consideration which he is undertaking to qualify as a QP under NI 43-101.

 

The scientific or technical information in this press release that relates to environmental, social and governance results was prepared or supervised by Mr. Faan Coetzee, a full-time employee of ABS AFRICA PTY. Mr. Coetzee is a Registered Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the project under consideration which he is undertaking to qualify as a QP under NI 43-101.

 

Each of Mr. Ingvar Kirchner, Mr. Nicholas Szebor, Mr. Glen Williamson, Mr. Jody Thompson, Mr. Ryan Cunningham, Mr. Darren King and Mr. Faan Coetzee has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information relating to his respective fields of expertise mentioned above and does not or did not have at the relevant time an affiliation with Robex or its subsidiaries, except that of independent consultant/client relationship. The relevant QP’s have verified the data disclosed including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information contained in this news release. This included an appropriate quality control sampling program of reference standards, blanks and duplicates to monitor the integrity of all assay results. Raw Quality Assurance/Quality Control data was supplied to the QP that has reviewed the data statistically. Additional checks completed by the QP have included review of historical QA/QC data and review of a selection of assay certificates.

 

Further details on the scientific and technical information relating to the Kiniero Gold Project will be provided in the technical report for the Kiniero Gold Project which will be filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com within the next 45 days.

 

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

 

About Robex Resources Inc.

 

Robex is a multi-jurisdictional West African gold production and development company with near-term exploration potential. The Company is dedicated to safe, diverse and responsible operations in the countries in which it operates with a goal to foster sustainable growth. The Company has been operating the Nampala mine in Mali since 2017 and is advancing the Kiniero Gold Project in Guinea.

 

Robex is supported by two strategic shareholders and has the ambition to become one of the most important mid-tier gold producers in West Africa.

 

Posted January 14, 2025

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