Overview
Gold production in Gabon is erratic, averaging around 1t per year. Most production is centered around the Eteke region. Total production from Gabon has been estimated at 55 – 60 tons, of which 99% are of alluvial origin, from small and medium rivers, and eluvial as well. Production of gold from hard-rock deposits has not exceeded 1.5 t, with most of the production in the Etéké region. Production of gold from vein deposits has not exceeded 400 kg. It appears that no resource evaluations of the alluvial lode deposits have been determined, let alone source of the primary gold mineralisation. Australian junior Lafayette Mining has a 100 per cent interest in two groups of gold exploration properties – consisting of a southern group of three permits (the Etéké group) covering an area of 1,656 square kilometres and a northern permit (Ovan) of 2,736 square kilometres. The Etéké group contains three high grade gold resources.
Searchgold Resources is evaluating the Magnima – Bakoudou project located in south east Gabon. The project has outlined a resource containing an estimated 805 000 oz gold to a depth of 150m. In 2003 a prefeasibility study estimated the total resource as 3.9 Mt at an average grade of 6.4 g/t Au, and envisaged a rapid five-year mine production plan. Searchgold has a bankable feasibility study under way, comprising an 81-hole drill programme to provide a more definitive orebody model. The project is 100% owned through Searchgold’s subsidiary, Golden Gram Gabon SARL.
Southern Era has become an active explorer for gold, with preliminary soil surveys, and a drill programme on its Koumba project which was originally a diamond exploration permit. Koumba is located in western Gabon, 180 km southeast of Libreville, on Birimian greenstones.
Organisations (2)
Lafayette Mining Ltd (Gabon), Searchgold Resources Inc. :[ Add More ]
Facilities (8)
Bakoudou, Belinga, Mabounie, Mikouloungou, Moanda, Mounana, Okla, Oklo Mine
Participating Organisations
Searchgold Resources Inc.
Through it subsidiary, Golden Gram Gabon, Searchgold resources are developing the Bakoudou gold project in Gabon
