Sabi Gold targets 60kg per month
SHANNISE DZOBO
ZVISHAVANE-One of the biggest gold mines in the country, Zvishavane-based Sabi Gold Mine is targeting to produce 60tonnes per month as it ramps up production following its removal from judiciary management, The Midweek Watch can reveal.
Sabi Gold managing director, Brian Chandiwana revealed the news during a media tour of the mining concern last Wednesday which also included the Minister of Sate for the Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Mudha Ncube.
Currently the mine is producing between 40 and 43kgs of the precious mineral per month after being removed from judiciary management in 2022.
“We have moved from producing 6000t of processed gold ore which gives us 12-15kgs of gold per month to 25 000t processed ore average per month that produces 40kgs or more per month.
“We are even hoping to produce plus or minus 60kgs per month by year end with the inception of phase two since we have managed to deepen the shaft from the current 10 level to 14 level which will start having more ore from the underground since currently our ore is coming from the open cast mining,” said Chandiwana.
He added that the target is achievable since they have upgraded the crushing plant to 1000t per day from 250t a day and installed an additional mill to increase milling capacity to 1000t per day from 250t a day.
Sabi also installed a primary crushing circuit to increase crushing rate and installed 6 more Carbon in Pulp tanks in order to increase residence time ( to increase leach time for maximum gold production) and recovery.
They also installed a dewatering cyclone to bring processing plant operational control.
Chandiwana also said before they took over the mine in 2017 there was only underground mining and in 2022 they added open cast mining at Chikuraugwe Mountain leading to an increase in production.
“Being guided our company’s low grade and high tonnage mining strategy the test works efforts resulted in supply of ore to plant ratio of 75%:25% between surface and underground respectively”, said Chandiwana.
The veteran administrator said they are satisfied by the joint venture they entered into with the Government owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation as the company has turned the corner.
“The consummation of the joint venture has been successful and that Sabi Gold Mine has been turned around into a profitable operation contributing to national gold production target.
“Our mission is to maximize shareholder value through safe exploitation of gold reserves in a cost effective, profitable, sustainable manner and equitably rewarding employees and other stakeholders,” said Chandiwana.
Total mine employment increased to 620 people under the new management from 120 and there three shifts per day.
The Sabi mine claims were first pegged in 1890 with the first recorded production in 1909. It was acquired by ZMDC in 1984.
ZMDC used to own 100% Kimberworth Investments trading as Sabi Gold Mine, but the mine ran into problems and was placed under judiciary management run by Wesley Sibanda who passed on in 2019.
In 2019, Oliver Mutasa of Crowe International took over as judiciary manger until 2022 in April when the mine was handed over to Anmack Investments and ZMDC after all the creditors were paid their dues.