Endeavour pours first gold at Sabodala-Massawa Expansion in Senegal

Endeavour Mining has completed the first gold pour at its Sabodala-Massawa BIOX Expansion project in Senegal.

This milestone was reached two years after the start of construction, marking a transformational step in establishing the Sabodala-Massawa Complex as a tier 1 mining operation.

The company has processed around 50,000mt of ore since the wet commissioning began on 27 February this year.

It noted that the processing plant performance has met expectations, indicating a smooth operational start.

The first gold pour from the gravity circuit occurred on 18 April 2024, producing about 112oz of gold, while the BIOX circuit’s initial pour on 28 April 2024 yielded nearly 612oz.

Endeavour anticipates that the BIOX Expansion will reach commercial production towards the end of Q2 2024.

The project is expected to ramp up to its full capacity of 1.2mt per annum in Q3 2024.

With the BIOX Expansion commencing on schedule, Endeavour Mining is poised to meet its annual production guidance of 1,130–1,270koz, maintaining an industry-leading cost of $955–1,035/oz.

Endeavour Mining CEO Ian Cockerill said: “We are proud to have achieved our first gold pour at the Sabodala-Massawa BIOX® Expansion with over 3.5 million man hours worked with no lost time injuries.

“We have commissioned the project and delivered first gold in only two years, marking the fourth capital project that we have completed in the past ten years.

“All of these have been completed in two years or less, and have been delivered on schedule, on budget and with no lost time injuries. This is a testament to the quality of our projects team and the competitive advantage we have in West Africa.”