Gold in Niger

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Geology

Birimian rocks, including three greenstone belts occur in the Liptako region in the western part of the country near the borders with Burkino Faso and Mali. Greenstone belts include the Gorouol/Kourki belt in the northwest of the Liptako area, the Sirba Belt west of Niamey, and the Tera Gassa Belt between the Gorouol and the Sirba greenstone belts.

• Etruscan Resources (TSX:EET, 40%) and Semafo (40%) operate the Samira Hill Gold Mine; the first commercial open pit gold mine in Niger. The pre-production mineable reserves from the Samira Hill and Libiri pits are estimated to total 10,08 million t grading 2,2 g/t Au from which 618 000 oz will be recovered over a 6,3 year mine life. Etruscan also investigated the Koma Bangou deposit which was originally discovered by ONAREM (the state owned mining company) in 1985. Etruscan subsequently joined up with ONAREM and carried out feasibility studies on the property, defining a reserve of 315 000 oz of gold.

• St Jude Resources (bought by Golden Star Resources Ltd) explored the Deba and Tialkam areas.

• GeoAfrica Gold Corporation (Australian) had prospecting permits close to the Algerian border near the Air Massif.