to an average depth of only 120 metres and a maxi- mum depth of 300 metres”. According to Alexander, the Enchi project is comparable to gold miner Asante Gold’s multi- million-ounce Chirano Gold Mine, located
some 50 km northeast of Enchi, which hosts plunging zones of high-grade gold mineralisation with gold zones similar to Enchi. Both properties exhibit numerous targets. Following the comple-
tion of its most recent drill programme, the explorer expects to pro- vide an updated Mineral Resource Estimate before year-end. Enchi – a star in the making
Newcore’s management and board of directors own a 24% stake alongside shareholders.
Develop the project or off-load it to a miner with an appetite to take it up the value chain is the big question? For Newcore Gold, which is focused on becoming a world-class, respon- sible gold enterprise that provides its shareholders with exceptional returns, this is not an easy one to answer. According to Alexander, Newcore’s management and board of directors have a vested interest in the project, owning a 24% stake alongside shareholders. “Newcore Gold consists of a highly skilled, well experienced team capable of developing the Enchi project into a world-class gold mine. Our team con- sists of people who have built large-scale mines in Africa, and developing Enchi into a gold producer is well within our means.” As it stands, the Enchi PEA highlights a simple, open pit heap leach operation with the capacity to process 6,6 mtpa. The project offers an attrac- tive low strip ratio of 2,1 to 1, strong economics, low capital intensity, an initial capital cost estimated at US$97-million, a short payback period of 2 to 3 years and is a highly robust project with growth potential of over 104 000 ounces of annual production in the first three years of full production and peak produc- tion in year ten. The project area is well serviced by infrastructure, including a 100 km well-developed road that passes through the Enchi project and a powerline that runs parallel to the main road, allowing the project devel- oper to access grid power. “Although Enchi is a near-surface oxide resource offering a multi-million-ounce opportunity, it is only once we have completed the necessary drilling to ensure resource confidence, that we will make a firm decision on whether to develop the project or not,” concludes Alexander.
The Enchi project is comparable to Asante Gold’s Chirano Gold Mine.
Ghana – stable jurisdiction with numerous upsides Ghana is regarded as Africa’s top gold jurisdiction and the continent’s larg- est gold producer. It is the world’s sixth largest gold producer, producing more gold per square kilometre than Nevada. The country’s stable, democratic government supports mining, with gold being essential to Ghana’s economy and tax base. Ghana offers modern infrastructure and a skilled English-speaking labour workforce. The country hosts a strong presence of senior gold producers with three of the top 10 major gold producers operating in-country – Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti and Gold Fields. Ghana produced five million ounces of gold in 2020, surpassing South Africa’s 2020 production of 3,5-million ounces.
September 2022 MODERN MINING 21
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