Published: July 2, 2020 |

[Click image to enlarge]

IAMGOLD Corporation has received approval for its application under Section 36 of the Fisheries Act (Canada) for the Côté Gold Project, a key milestone in attaining permits relating to impacts on fish habitats and tailings management.

Côté, located in northern Ontario, is a 70/30 joint venture with Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM), demonstrating potential to produce 460,000 ounces of gold annually at low all-in sustaining costs of approximately $700 per ounce in the first six years of production with a 16-year mine life. The JV has been very active in de-risking the project since the feasibility study (FS) was published in late 2018.

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT UPDATES

• Completed additional resource and geotechnical studies, and advanced mine planning
 
• Completed over 60 percent of detailed project engineering, including the tailings facility
 
• This level of engineering has enabled the project to obtain firm bids and secure prices on all major equipment. To date, 55 percent of project cost has firm pricing, further reducing technical and cost risks for the project leading to a refinement in costs and metrics as we work toward a construction decision. The company’s share of the anticipated go-forward range for capital is $875 - 925 million
 
• Completed a pre-construction camp on the adjacent Chester site
 
• Completed all tree clearing needed for initiating construction; work was carried out with a First Nations partner firm earlier in 2020, before standing down in respect of the global COVID-19 crisis
 
• Carried out detailed implementation studies on technology, including automated truck haulage and drilling and commenced discussions with regulators regarding the use of automated equipment
 
• Advanced development of construction protocols in consideration of COVID-19
 
• Completed 4,700 m of drilling at the Gosselin Zone, a potential satellite pit 1.5 km northeast of Côté

“A key part of the future of IAMGOLD is our organic growth pipeline, starting with the Côté Gold Project in northern Ontario. The transformative impact of Côté Gold on IAMGOLD’s production profile and global cost structure, in addition to its long mine life in an attractive jurisdiction, establishes clear and compelling reasons for this project to proceed,” said Gordon Stothart, IAMGOLD president and CEO.

“Our current financial position supports our proposed growth plans, with over $800 million in cash on hand, access to a currently undrawn $500 million committed revolving credit facility, and expected stronger operating cash flows from our current mining operations, including anticipated contributions from Saramacca at Rosebel and steady performance from Essakane and Westwood,” added Stothart.

A formal decision on the construction of the Côté Gold Project will be made in conjunction with IAMGOLD’s partner, SMM, given a satisfactory environment for construction to proceed with appropriate work protocols in light of COVID-19 and without risk of interruption. The company is currently working with SMM toward a formal decision. A decision in the coming months would allow construction to commence later this year with a targeted completion date of mid-2023.

“In Senegal, we are actively engaged in advancing Boto through a disciplined, staged approach, building essential initial infrastructure to secure access to the site, and further de-risking the project as we have successfully done for Côté,” said Gordon Stothart.

“These projects, together with our existing operations, will position IAMGOLD as a leading intermediate gold producer, boasting a growing production profile and declining cost structure, together with a greater geographic diversification across North and South America and West Africa,” added Stothart.

About IAMGOLD
IAMGOLD is a mid-tier mining company with three gold mines on three continents, including the Essakane mine in Burkino Faso, the Rosebel mine in Suriname, and the Westwood mine in Canada. A solid base of strategic assets is complemented by the Côté Gold development project in Canada, the Boto Gold development project in Senegal, as well as greenfield and brownfield exploration projects in various countries located in West Africa and the Americas. IAMGOLD is committed to maintaining its culture of accountable mining through high standards of ESG practices and employs approximately 5,000 people.

To stop by IAMGOLD’s website, CLICK HERE

Be in-the-know when you’re on-the-go!

CLICK HERE to register your email address.

Copyright © 2020 Mining Connection LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.

For licensing permission, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)