Windhoek — Otjikoto Gold Mine will produce its first gold ore in the fourth quarter of this year. Construction of the mill and mining offices at the mine located between Otjiwarongo and Otavi are near completion, with the majority of concrete poured for the mill construction, while the Leach and Carbon in Pulp tanks have been erected. "The construction phase of the project remains on schedule to pour its first gold in the fourth quarter of 2014," the company said in a statement.

Project-to-date production stands at 8.4 million tonnes mined against a budget of 8.6 million tonnes. Ore mining commenced in June 2014 and activities are focused on building the ore stockpiles in preparation for planned commissioning. According to spokesperson of the Otjikoto Gold Mine, Gretha du Plessis, the diesel and water reservoir tanks have been erected while construction of the Primary Crusher is complete. "The shells of both the SAG and ball mills have been assembled in the milling area and the erection of the pre-leach thickener and the tailings thickener are in progress. The painting of all tanks is ongoing", said Du Plessis.

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