Gross Rosebel expands by one-quarter

Drilling at the Gross Rosebel project in Suriname has led to a 25% increase in proven and probable reserves.

Partners Cambior (CBJ-T) and Golden Star Resources (GSC-T) report that the figure now stands at 30 million tonnes grading 1.5 grams gold per tonne, representing 1.4 million oz. gold in situ. The grade of the deposit has also increased, while the overall stripping ratio has decreased.

The rise in reserves reflects a new calculation for the Pay Caro zone (which incorporates the former Pay Caro and East Pay Caro zones). The calculation is based on new data gained from drilling and trenching but does not take into account work carried out on the Koolhoven and Bigi Asanjangmoni trends.

Saprolite mineralization, at 21.9 million tonnes grading 1.3 grams gold, constitutes 72% of the updated reserves, while the remaining reserves of 8.6 million tonnes grading 1.8 grams gold are in bedrock. The stripping ratio is 2.8-to-1.

The cutoff grade used for saprolite material was 0.5 gram gold; for bedrock, the cutoff was 0.7 gram.

Definition drilling will continue for the remainder of the year on the Pay Caro, Koolhoven, Mayo and Royal Hill deposits, while exploration drilling will target the Mama Creek and J zones. The objectives of continued definition, stepout and exploration drilling are to increase open-pit reserves for the final feasibility study and identify new bodies of mineralization.