UK-based gold mining company Hummingbird Resources has achieved first gold pour at the Kouroussa Gold Mine in the prolific Siguiri Basin, Guinea, ahead of schedule.
The mine is the company’s second operating gold asset in West Africa. It is said to be a high-grade mine with more than four grams per tonne (g/t) in open-pit operations.
Commissioned in early May 2023, Kouroussa is expected to have average gold production of 120,000–140,000oz for the first three years of commercial production.
After that, the mine is expected to have annual production of 100,000oz over an initial seven-year life.
Hummingbird CEO Dan Betts said: "The achievement of first gold pour at our second operating mine, Kouroussa in Guinea, is a major strategic milestone for the company, transforming Hummingbird into a multi-asset, multi-jurisdiction gold producer, that more than doubles our production profile to 200,000-plus ounces per annum.
“Kouroussa is the second mine Hummingbird has built on time and on budget, made up of a construction team of African and predominately (80%) Guinean personnel.”
Hummingbird said it is developing Detailed Kouroussa exploration plans to re-initiate exploration drilling plans in H2 2023/2024 to increase current reserves at the mine.
The company also owns the operational Yanfolila Gold Mine in Mali and a controlling stake in the Dugbe Gold Project in Liberia.
