Syama, Mali

Syama’s underground mine is a modern sub-level cave operation producing around 2.4Mtpa of ore. All underground production and development activity is owner-operated. The Company operates a fleet of development jumbos, production drills, loaders and trucks. A twin decline access and variable speed primary ventilation system provide capacity for future expansion of underground operations.

The sulphide processing circuit comprises three-stage crushing, followed by ore grinding. The grinding circuit consists of three mills, 1 primary and 2 secondary. Ground ore is then fed to the concentrator, which contains 1 skim air, 2 roughers, 4 scavengers and 3 cleaner cells to produce auto thermal concentrate for feed to the Roaster. The concentrate is thickened to around 70% solids to provide direct roaster feed. The Roaster is an auto thermal circulating fluid bed roaster operating at ~720°C. The calcine product from the Roaster is then processed through conventional CIL, Elution and Electrowinning and Smelting circuits to produce bullion.

The Syama sulphide processing circuit has been progressively upgraded by Resolute, with particular attention being paid to the Roaster. After the major planned shutdowns in 2022, throughput and utilisation have increased, with the interval between future shutdowns extended by replacing much of the refractory lining of the Roaster. Resolute continues to identify opportunities to further enhance sulphide plant throughput and recoveries.

Resolute operates several open satellite pits to provide oxide material for treatment at the separate oxide processing facility at Syama. These operations cover 40km of strike along the Syama shear and are served by a dedicated haul road.

The Oxide processing plant has a capacity of around 1.5Mtpa, of oxide and transitional ore. This capacity has been gradually built upon since its construction in 2015 when the plant was rated at 1.0mtpa. The oxide plant comprises single-stage jaw crushing followed by a single, variable speed SAG mill. The circuit contains a gravity concentrator and intensive leach reactor to extract coarse gold. The ore is then processed through conventional CIL, Elution, Electrowinning and Smelting circuits to produce bullion.

In June 2021, the Syama Power Station upgrade was completed in partnership with Aggreko plc (Aggreko). The new power station delivers long-term fuel cost savings while reducing carbon emissions by approximately 20%. The power generating facilities comprises three modular 10MW Marine Oil (HFO) generators together with a 10MW battery storage system. The system includes battery storage-, replacing the need for conventional fossil fuel spinning reserves. Construction of the Resolute-owned Bulk Fuel Storage Facility has also been completed, with final commissioning activities undertaken during the June quarter. The new facility has a capacity of 4 million litres, representing more than 30 days of consumption.

Tabakoroni is located 35km south of Syama and, since 2018, has been a major contributor of mill feed to the Oxide processing plant. The potential exists for future development of a sulphide mining operation at Tabakoroni, exploiting the high-grade Resource located beneath current open pits.

The Company is confident that a high-grade long-life operation will follow the oxide open pit mining phases at Tabakoroni. A PFS established a mining schedule accessing 2.4Mt at 4.9g/t containing 386.6koz with drilling in 2021, leading to an expansion of Resource and the establishment of Ore Reserve of 5.0 Mt at 4.7g/t Au containing 766koz. The Tabakoroni deposit remains open both along strike and at depth. Ongoing exploration success is expected to continue to expand the Mineral Resources and subsequently extend the mine life.