Goldbelt releases prefeasibility study for Inata including acceptance of environmental impact study
01 November 2006 - 4:57PM
PR Newswire (US)
TORONTO, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Goldbelt Resources Ltd.
(TSXV: GLD) is pleased to announce the completion of an independent
Prefeasibility Study for the Belahouro Gold Project in Burkina
Faso, West Africa. The Study concludes that Inata will process
633,000 ounces of gold, for an average annual gold production of
106,500 ounces of gold for the first five years. The average cash
operating cost will be US$290 per ounce over a 6.1 year mine life.
The Prefeasibility Study is based on the resources published in
April, 2006. GBM Minerals Engineering Consultants Ltd. ("GBM") was
the lead consultant engaged by Goldbelt to oversee completion of
the Study. A technical report entitled Prefeasibility Study Report
for the Belahouro Gold Mine Project dated September 18, 2006 (the
"Prefeasibility Study") has been filed on SEDAR. The Study is based
on mineable reserves of 9.2 million tonnes of ore with an average
grade of 2.15 grams per tonne calculated at an un-hedged gold price
of US$550 per ounce. The Study proposes open pit mining with the
ore to be processed through a conventional CIL (carbon-in-leach)
plant with a design capacity of 1.5 million tonnes per annum
("mtpa"). Oxide ore will be the main mill feed for the early part
of the project life, and average gold recoveries are estimated at
95% for the first four years, and 93% thereafter. The Study reports
a Net Present Value of US$44 million at 5% discount rate and an
Internal Rate of Return of 28%. Total capital costs are estimated
to be US$65.8 million
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Belahouro Reserves
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proven Probable Proven & Probable
----------------------------------------------------------------
Deposit Tonnage Au ozs Tonnage Au Ozs Tonnage Au ozs (Kt) g/t (Kt)
g/t (Kt) g/t
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
INATA TREND
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inata/ Minfo 2,300 2.58 192,000 6,900 2.00 441,000 9,200 2.15
633,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Collin Ellison, President and CEO, said "Goldbelt is very
encouraged by the positive Prefeasibility Study results confirming
strong economics for the Inata Project, and we now look forward to
initiating the process of bringing the Inata Project into
production. With this Prefeasibility Study, having been in part
compiled using test work undertaken to feasibility level standards,
Goldbelt anticipates completing a bankable Feasibility Study in
early 2007. We are now focusing on laying the groundwork for the
dismantling and relocation of a second-hand process plant (Brocks
Creek, Australia), which was optioned for Inata. Additionally, we
are working to complete our 2006 drill program at Inata and our
other Belahouro resource projects." Goldbelt intends to refurbish
and upgrade the Brocks Creek gold plant in order to increase its
processing capacity and to better suit Inata's oxide ore. The plant
is currently rated for production at 1.5 mtpa. Goldbelt's
Feasibility Study will establish the final production rate, which
is targeted at approximately 2.0 mtpa for gold production of
140,000 oz/year, as well as detailing the cost of upgrading the
process plant. The Feasibility Study will also incorporate an
updated resource statement derived from the results of Goldbelt's
current 35,000 meter drill program. A major component of the 2006
drill program included resource expansion drilling at Inata. GBM
has identified in the Prefeasibility Study that significant
potential exists to identify further resources at the Souma and
Fete Kole Trends. It is believed that mineralization controls on
the Inata, Minfo and Sayouba deposits are generally well
understood, allowing effective targeting for future exploration
programs including further step out drilling for the development of
known resources along strike and down dip of the current Inata
North, Central and South deposits. Current Belahouro resources as
reported in Goldbelt's April 24, 2006 release are estimated as
follows:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Belahouro Resources Resource Categories @ 0.5 g/t
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Measured Indicated
---------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnage Au ozs Tonnage Au ozs Deposit (Kt) g/t (Kt) g/t
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
INATA TREND
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inata 2,480 2.6 203,000 12,544 1.8 718,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sayouba
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minfo 622 1.3 27,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 2,480 2.6 203,000 13,166 1.8 745,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Measured & Indicated Inferred
---------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnage Au ozs Tonnage Au ozs Deposit (Kt) g/t (Kt) g/t
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
INATA TREND
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inata 15,024 1.9 921,000 3,567 1.4 165,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sayouba 144 2.4 11,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minfo 622 1.3 27,000 347 1.2 14,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 15,646 1.9 948,000 4,058 1.5 190,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concurrent with the 2006 drill program, Goldbelt has been working
with the Government of Burkina Faso on the issuance of the Mining
Permit for the Inata Gold Mine, which included an Environmental
Impact Study ("EIS") for the project. The Government recently
approved the EIS by issuance of a Decree from the Ministry of the
Environment. Goldbelt is now awaiting final approval of the Mining
Permit which is expected before the end of the year. GBM was
responsible for the Project Management, process and engineering
design; RSG Global (now part of the Coffey International group) was
responsible for the mineral resource estimation. Metallurgical
testwork was performed by AMMTEC; AMEC provided tailings dam,
infrastructure and barrage design. Open pit optimization, mineral
reserves and mining costs were provided by Orelogy Pty Ltd.;
Geotechnical design parameters were prepared by George, Orr and
Associates. Michael Short and Alex Mitchell are the Qualified
Persons who oversaw the Prefeasibility Study. As required by
National Instrument 43-101, Goldbelt has filed a technical report
detailing the results of this Prefeasibility Study on SEDAR and the
report is also available at the company's website
http://www.goldbeltresources.com/. For additional information
contact Laura Sandilands, Investor Relations or Collin Ellison,
President and CEO at (416) 364-0557 or by email to . GOLDBELT
RESOURCES LTD. Per: "Collin Ellison" Collin Ellison, President and
CEO The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory
authority has approved or disapproved the information contained
herein. Certain statements contained in this disclosure document
constitute forward- looking statements which are not historical
facts and are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions under
the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
When used in this document, words like "anticipate", "believe",
"estimate" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. Information concerning
exploration results and mineral reserve and resource estimates may
also be deemed to be forward-looking statements, as it constitutes
a prediction of what might be found to be present when and if a
project is actually developed. These forward-looking statements are
necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that,
while considered reasonable at the time they are made, are
inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which
could cause actual events or results to differ materially from
those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including,
without limitation: uncertainties related to raising sufficient
financing to fund the planned work in a timely manner and on
acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from
logistical, technical or other factors; the possibility that
results of work will not fulfill projections/expectations and
realize the perceived potential of the Company's projects;
uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results
and other tests and the estimation of gold reserves and resources;
risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or
other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility
of environmental issues at the Company's projects; the possibility
of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in work programs; the
need to obtain permits and comply with environmental laws and
regulations and other government requirements; fluctuations in the
price of gold and other risks and uncertainties. The United States
Securities and Exchange Commission permits mining companies in
their filings with the SEC to disclose only those mineral deposits
that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. We
may use certain terms in this disclosure document such as resources
that are prescribed by Canadian regulatory policy and guidelines
but are not provided for in the SEC guidelines on publications and
filings. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs,
estimates and opinions of the Company's management or its
independent professional consultants on the date the statements are
made. The reader is cautioned that actual results, performance or
achievements may be materially different from those implied or
expressed in such statements. DATASOURCE: Goldbelt Resources Ltd.
CONTACT: please visit the Company's website
http://www.goldbeltresources.com/ or contact Laura Sandilands,
Investor Relations or Collin Ellison, President and CEO at (416)
364-0557 or by email to
Copyright