Ariana Resources making solid progress at Kiziltepe

Turkey-focused gold exploration and development company Ariana Resources provided its second operational update on the Kiziltepe Mine within the Red Rabbit Gold-Silver Project in Western Turkey on Tuesday.

The AIM-traded company said Kiziltepe was being advanced towards production through a 50-50 joint venture with Proccea Construction.

It said the completion of the Stage 1 Tailings Storage Facility remained delayed by below-average temperatures and wet weather, although conditions were improving.

The Process CIL/CIC and ADR plant was operational under manual mode, nearing full automation, and the commissioning of ball mill and thickeners was complete, with first ore due to be fed to the CIL system shortly.

Ariana said the carbon regeneration kiln was operational, and the detox system and tailings pumps were ready for testing once the TSF was commissioned.

Recent drilling was also to be incorporated into a new resource, and a reserve estimate and an improved mining plan and schedule was in the process of being examined, the board reported.

“While much of the Kiziltepe mine site is effectively operational, the below average temperature conditions and rainfall experienced through much of January has inhibited the completion of the tailings dam,” said managing director Kerim Sener.

“However, we are pleased to note that the weather forecasts for the next 10 days are looking more favourable.”

At this stage, Dr Sener said the joint venture team was expecting to be in a position to complete the remaining work at the tailings dam within the better weather window.

“Laying of the final geomembrane for the Stage 1 TSF is the last critical path element of the build before the mine becomes formally operational; commissioning tests of various process plant components and subsystems have gone smoothly to date.”

In the meantime, Dr Sener said Ariana was continuing to demonstrate the potential for an enhanced operation at Kiziltepe, through the positive results of its recent drilling programmes.

“These results are sufficiently encouraging to warrant integration into a longer-term developmental plan for the project involving larger and/or additional open pits.

“The company remains focused on increasing its production profile once Kiziltepe enters production, through several practical development strategies across its projects.

“We will be updating the market on these activities on a regular basis.”