Shaft Sinkers Holdings, the international shaft sinking and underground construction group, has announced continued excellent progress at its Kibali Goldmines project in the DRC. The main shaft sinking is progressing very well and has reached a major milestone of 500 m, with sinking proceeding at a rate of at least 3 m/d for more than 30 continuous days. Kibali is a joint venture between mine operator, Randgold Resources (45%), AngloGold Ashanti (45%) and Congolese parastatal, Sokimo (10%). The project is situated near Doko, in the north eastern Orientale province and Shaft Sinkers were awarded the mobilisation and vertical shaft contracts in November 2012 with an estimated total value of £82.3 million. 

Mark Bristow, Chief Executive of Randgold Resources, said: “I would like to congratulate all involved at Kibali. The achievement of 30 days continuous sinking at 3 m/d is truly worldclass and is contributing greatly to our efforts at Kibali.”