Endeavour has started wet commissioning and in preparation for production, ore is expected to be introduced into the process plant milling circuit in the coming days.

 

The total project is now over 97% complete and within budget, with demobilisation of the construction team already begun. 

 

Ity is expected to produce 160,000-200,000 ounces in 2019 at an all-in susatining cost of US$525-590 per ounce, with the bottom-end of production guidance corresponding to the nameplate capacity.

 

CEO Sébastien de Montessus said the company was excited to have started the commissioning phase several months ahead of the initial schedule and was looking forward to the first gold pour.

 

"The start of production at Ity will be a transformative moment for Endeavour. It will become, alongside Houndé, our second flagship mine, and marks the end of several years of large capital-intensive projects which will allow us to focus on cash flow generation and generating returns on our capital employed," he said.

 

Endeavour is also busy with an exploration programme to further demobstarte the potential of Ity. Seven drill rigs are active on the La Plaque target, with the aim of publishing an updated resource in the June quarter.  

 

At C$21.88 (US$16.61), Endeavour's shares have climbed 12% in the past six months.