VANCOUVER, Nov. 29, 2013 /CNW/ - Endeavour Mining Corporation ("Endeavour" or the "Corporation") (TSX:EDV) (ASX:EVR) (OTCQX:EDVMF) announces the pouring of its first gold bar from the Carbon In Leach and Gravity gold circuits at the Agbaou Mine in Côte d'Ivoire. Plant commissioning is progressing ahead of schedule. The plant has been ramped up to design throughput levels and is expected to achieve full commercial gold production during Q1/2014.
Endeavour completed the first CIL/Gravity Circuit gold pour at Agbaou earlier today. The first pour was completed significantly ahead of the original construction timetable of Q1/2014. As demonstrated by the pouring of gold, the mine is well into the commissioning phase with ore reclaim, milling, CIL, Knelson concentrator, Gekko Intensive Leach Reactor, cyanide detoxification and tailings areas all fully commissioned.
Neil Woodyer, CEO, stated
"This is a major achievement for the company and a testament to the hard work of our employees in all areas from exploration to operations. Endeavour's Project Team has taken a feasibility study and grassroots site and built the Agbaou mine in only 16 months. This is the second mine in the Endeavour portfolio that our team has built. Agbaou is on schedule for achieving full commercial production shortly, and at approximately $800 per ounce all-in sustaining costs, Agbaou is forecast to make a meaningful contribution to our free cash flow in 2014 and beyond."
About Endeavour Mining Corporation
Endeavour is a gold producer delivering growth. Endeavour owns three gold mines producing more than 300,000 ounces per year in Mali, Ghana and Burkina Faso.
Endeavour's annual gold production is forecast to exceed 400,000 ounces per year during 2014, including the start-up of commercial production at the Agbaou Gold Mine in Côte d'Ivoire scheduled for Q1/2014. In addition, in November 2013 a Feasibility Study for the Houndé Project in Burkina Faso was completed showing potential for approximately 180,000 ounces per year over 8 years.
Endeavour Mining Corporation is listed on the TSX (symbol EDV) and ASX (symbol EVR), and also trades on the OTCQX (symbol EDVMF).