MINING
it in 2006, requiring a big focus on skills training and addressing language barriers. Last year 403,000 tons of gold, copper, silver and zinc ore was produced, and although the mine is markedly smaller than its Bulgarian partner, there is excellent expansion potential. Howes said: “We think we can double it in size, and though the decision to fully invest has not been made yet we are doing the studies and evaluations – within the next year or two we will have made a final call.” Another exciting prospect is Dundee Precious Metals’ first open pit project, the second Bulgarian venture located just outside of Krumovgrad in the southeast of the country. The site will be built by local contractors and a much-opposed cyanide method for extracting gold has been removed from any plans for the development, with Howes keen to showcase this as a pioneering example of an environmentally-sensitive mining operation. Production should begin in early 2018. “The life of the mine is about eight years and we are still exploring the area in the hope of expanding this further,” Howes added. “It was vital to take away the concerns of the local people and we are also introducing other sustainable features including new dry waste disposal methods.”
Dundee will also be starting its first open pit project in 2017 or 2018
Namibia There is also exciting work taking place in Namibia, home to Dundee Precious Metals’ w w w. d u n d e e p r e c i o u s . c o m
43