Commissioning of the Perkoa zinc project in Burkina Faso is nearing completion, first test concentrates are being produced and about 70,000t of run-of-mine ore have been stockpiled. The first concentrate shipment is due to sail during Q2 of 2013, and the ramp-up to full name plate capacity expected to take up to six months.
Revealing this in an update issued here, project partner Blackthorne Resources confirmed that commissioning was expected to be complete with first commercial quality concentrates produced on site by the end January 2013. The official opening ceremony with the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso in attendance would take place on 19 January 2013.
The Perkoa project is a joint venture between Glencore International (50.1%), Blackthorn Resources (39.9%) and the Burkina Faso Government (10% free carried), and is currently developing the first large-scale underground base metals mine in the country. The project is located 120km west from the capital, Ouagadougou.
Project manager Glencore is currently preparing a capital and operating budget for the first two-year production period commencing upon completion of commissioning. The budget is expected to be made available for review by Blackthorn Resources during January 2013.
Glencore and Blackthorn Resources will then collaborate on budget optimisation in an effort to minimise the time required for the project to become self-funding. It is expected that the final budget will be agreed with Glencore by no later than the end of February 2013.