Message #46 From:
Stock News Bot Date: January 10, 2007 06:17:00 AM
GSS News Golden Star Reports Progress in Commissioning of Bogoso Sulfide Expansion Project
DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Golden Star Resources Ltd. (AMEX: GSS)(TSX: GSC) today updated progress
on its Bogoso Sulfide Expansion Project at the Bogoso/Prestea property
in Ghana.
The current status of the construction and commissioning activity is as
follows:
The 2,200 tonnes per hour gyratory crusher was commissioned in October
and is fully operational, crushing low grade carbonate ore for
non-refractory circuit feed;
The new ball mill was commissioned in October and the semi-autogenous
grinding mill was commissioned in December. Both mills are operating
and providing non-refractory slurry feed for the carbon-in-leach (“CIL”)
circuit;
The existing CIL plant continues to process non-refractory ore. The
new CIL circuit is operational and processing non-refractory ore,
thereby increasing our throughput capacity;
The BIOX® Module 1,
Reactor Tanks 1 and 2 are operational, utilizing previously stockpiled
refractory concentrate. Reactor Tanks 3 and 4 are being commissioned
with the build up of inoculate;
The BIOX® Module 1,
Reactor Tanks 5, 6 and 7 (smaller, secondary tanks) are expected to be
commissioned in February 2007;
BIOX® Module 1
coolers and blowers were commissioned in December and are operational;
BIOX® Module 1
neutralization tanks and counter-current decantation thickeners are
expected to be commissioned at the end of January 2007 in time for
refractory ore feed in February 2007;
The new flotation circuit (not required until refractory ore is
milled) is 70% complete with completion expected in February 2007. An
expansion to the flotation circuit which commenced in 2006, is
expected to be commissioned in March 2007;
The new elution plant (not required until all BIOX®
tanks are commissioned) is progressing according to schedule;
Paddock dam transfer pumping and piping system to feed stockpiled
refractory concentrate to the BIOX®
plant is operational;
Stockpile buildup of refractory ore is advanced and approximately one
million tonnes have been placed on the stockpile; and
Work on other areas which are not required until all BIOX®
tanks are full is well progressed.
Once we begin to mill refractory sulfides (expected to begin in February
2007) we plan to cease processing oxide ore through the sulfide plant
and to start processing refractory sulfide ore. This should allow the
flotation circuit to be commissioned and flotation concentrate to be fed
to the BIOX®tanks on
a continuous basis. Oxide and non-refractory sulfide ores will continue
to be processed through the existing Bogoso CIL plant as currently
configured.
Peter Bradford, President and CEO said: “We
are generally pleased with the construction and commissioning of the
Bogoso Sulfide Expansion Project. The BIOX®Module 1 is in partial operation, has been loaded with sulfide
concentrate and the inoculation process continues. Of note, the bacteria
have responded very well to the sulfide concentrate feed with good
activity levels. Typical commissioning problems for plants of this size
and complexity have arisen but we are encouraged by the speed and
efficiency of our personnel, the consultants and contractors on site to
resolve them. We now expect Module 1 of the BIOX®
circuit to be fully commissioned in February, Module 2 to be
commissioned in March and design operating throughput to be achieved
soon thereafter and ramp up to design metallurgical recoveries over the
following few months.”
Company Profile
Golden Star holds a 90% equity interest in the Bogoso/Prestea and Wassa
open-pit gold mines in Ghana. In addition, Golden Star has an 81%
interest in the currently inactive Prestea Underground mine in Ghana, as
well as gold exploration interests elsewhere in Ghana, in other parts of
West Africa and in the Guiana Shield of South America. Golden Star has
approximately 208 million shares outstanding.
Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information:Some
statements contained in this news release are forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are
inherently uncertain and involve risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially. Such statements include
comments regarding the timing of the completion, commissioning, and
commencement of operations of the Bogoso Sulfide Expansion Project and
various components of the Project. Factors that may affect such
commencement of operations include delays in receiving needed equipment
and parts, design modifications during commissioning, power shortages
and interruptions, weather including excessive rainfall or drought.
There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company
will be those anticipated by management. Please refer to the discussion
of risk factors in our Form 10-K for 2005.