Golden Star Reports Progress in Commissioning of Bogoso Sulfide Expansion Project
Wednesday January 10, 9:17 am ET
DENVER, January 10 /CNW/ - Golden Star Resources Ltd. (AMEX: GSS - News; TSX: GSC - News) today updated progress on its Bogoso Sulfide Expansion Project at the Bogoso/Prestea property in Ghana.
The current status of the construction and commissioning activity is as follows:
The 2,200 tonnes per hour gyratory crusher was commissioned in
October and is fully operational, crushing low grade carbonate ore for
non-refractory circuit feed;
-- The new ball mill was commissioned in October and the semi-autogenous
grinding mill was commissioned in December. Both mills are operating and
providing non-refractory slurry feed for the carbon-in-leach ("CIL") circuit;
-- The existing CIL plant continues to process non-refractory ore. The
new CIL circuit is operational and processing non-refractory ore, thereby
increasing our throughput capacity;
-- The BIOX(R) Module 1, Reactor Tanks 1 and 2 are operational,
utilizing previously stockpiled refractory concentrate. Reactor Tanks 3 and 4
are being commissioned with the build up of inoculate;
-- The BIOX(R) Module 1, Reactor Tanks 5, 6 and 7 (smaller, secondary
tanks) are expected to be commissioned in February 2007;
-- BIOX(R) Module 1 coolers and blowers were commissioned in December
and are operational;
-- BIOX(R) Module 1 neutralization tanks and counter-current decantation
thickeners are expected to be commissioned at the end of January 2007 in time
for refractory ore feed in February 2007;
-- The new flotation circuit (not required until refractory ore is
milled) is 70% complete with completion expected in February 2007. An
expansion to the flotation circuit which commenced in 2006, is expected to be
commissioned in March 2007;
-- The new elution plant (not required until all BIOX(R) tanks are
commissioned) is progressing according to schedule;
-- Paddock dam transfer pumping and piping system to feed stockpiled
refractory concentrate to the BIOX(R) plant is operational;
-- Stockpile buildup of refractory ore is advanced and approximately one
million tonnes have been placed on the stockpile; and
-- Work on other areas which are not required until all BIOX(R) tanks
are full is well progressed.
Once we begin to mill refractory sulfides (expected to begin in February
2007) we plan to cease processing oxide ore through the sulfide plant and to
start processing refractory sulfide ore. This should allow the flotation
circuit to be commissioned and flotation concentrate to be fed to the BIOX(R)
tanks on a continuous basis. Oxide and non-refractory sulfide ores will
continue to be processed through the existing Bogoso CIL plant as currently
configured.
Peter Bradford, President and CEO said: "We are generally pleased with
the construction and commissioning of the Bogoso Sulfide Expansion Project.
The BIOX(R) Module 1 is in partial operation, has been loaded with sulfide
concentrate and the inoculation process continues. Of note, the bacteria have
responded very well to the sulfide concentrate feed with good activity levels.
Typical commissioning problems for plants of this size and complexity have
arisen but we are encouraged by the speed and efficiency of our personnel, the
consultants and contractors on site to resolve them. We now expect Module 1 of
the BIOX(R) circuit to be fully commissioned in February, Module 2 to be
commissioned in March and design operating throughput to be achieved soon
thereafter and ramp up to design metallurgical recoveries over the following
few months."
Company Profile
Golden Star holds a 90% equity interest in the Bogoso/Prestea and Wassa
open-pit gold mines in Ghana. In addition, Golden Star has an 81% interest in
the currently inactive Prestea Underground mine in Ghana, as well as gold
exploration interests elsewhere in Ghana, in other parts of West Africa and in
the Guiana Shield of South America. Golden Star has approximately 208 million
shares outstanding.
Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information: Some statements
contained in this news release are forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are
cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and involve
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.
Such statements include comments regarding the timing of the completion,
commissioning, and commencement of operations of the Bogoso Sulfide Expansion
Project and various components of the Project. Factors that may affect such
commencement of operations include delays in receiving needed equipment and
parts, design modifications during commissioning, power shortages and
interruptions, weather including excessive rainfall or drought. There can be
no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those
anticipated by management. Please refer to the discussion of risk factors in
our Form 10-K for 2005.
For further information
Golden Star Resources Ltd. Peter Bradford, 800-553-8436 President and CEO or Bruce Higson-Smith, 800-553-8436 Vice President Corporate Development or Anne Hite, 800-553-8436 Investor Relations Manager
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Source: Golden Star Resources Ltd.
