Eleven specially modified 50 t trucks have arrived in Dakar in Senegal en route to the new Gounkoto gold mine at Randgold Resources’ Loulo mining complex in Western Mali. The ship carrying the Volvo FMX 10×4 trucks, which were purpose-built for the mine by BAS Volvo Trucks in the Netherlands, docked in Dakar last week. Modifications to the trucks include the addition of a fifth axle and a customised tray with a Hardox 500 bottom wear plate system. Three further trucks have been ordered and are scheduled to arrive in Dakar in February next year, bringing Randgold’s total investment in the fleet to $4.2 million.
Transporting these haulage trucks from Dakar harbour to the mine in Mali is being controlled by local Senegalese logistics partner Lamine Gueye of CSTTAO.
The trucks will be used to transport ore from the Gounkoto mine to the plant at Loulo, some 30 km away. “This dedicated fleet will greatly reduce the cost per tonne of ore delivered to Loulo as a result of the increased hauling capacity and efficient fuel consumption,” says Randgold Group Consulting Mining Engineer Marcel Damen.
Gounkoto which progressed from discovery to production in just 30 months, poured its first gold in June this year, contributing more than 14,000 oz of gold to the Loulo mine complex’s output in its first month of production. Diversion dams and flood berm protection for the open pit were completed before the start of the rainy season. In addition, the haul road to Loulo was established with water control measures such as bridges and culverts. Open pit mining operations are now fully functioning, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Construction of permanent crushing facilities at Gounkoto is nearing completion with a mobile crusher being used in the meantime.
The upgrade to the Loulo plant is also progressing well and remains on track for completion by the end of the year. Additional power generation units are being installed, which will supply the Gounkoto mine as well as the new mill at Loulo. Foundations and civil work for the third mill are well advanced. “Gounkoto brings flexibility and is expected to contribute to an improving production trend from the Loulo complex over the next few quarters,” says Randgold CEO Mark Bristow.
“Along with Yalea, Gara and Loulo 3, Gounkoto is part of a big and highly prospective region which stretches from Baboto in the north to Faraba down in the south. With the open pit in production, exploration work at Gounkoto has continued to target the underground potential beneath the pit. Regional exploration is also continuing with the aim of not only extending our existing asset base at Loulo but to discover more Gounkotos,” Bristow said.
