BRITISH miner Kavango Resources Plc is set to pioneer Zimbabwe’s first spiral decline method for hard-rock underground mining as part of its ambitious 2025 plans, businessdigest heard this week.
The spiral decline method is a modern underground mining technique that allows for more efficient access to deep ore bodies.
Unlike traditional vertical shaft mining, a spiral decline consists of a gently sloping tunnel that winds down into the ore deposit, enabling the use of mechanised equipment such as trucks and loaders.
This method improves safety, reduces costs, and allows for continuous access to the mining face (the surface where the mining work is advancing), making it an attractive option for underground operations.
“So, we are just waiting for drill results to come through, and we are then going to decide which of our mines we build first,” Kavango chief executive officer Ben Turney told businessdigest in an interview.
“Our plan is to build one of Zimbabwe’s first spiral declines for underground mining in hard rock, and by the end of this year, we want to have sunk our first tunnel, and who knows, if things go well, we will even be into production.”
Kavango has three projects in Zimbabwe, with the firm focusing on its most promising project, Hillside, which consists of 44 gold claims covering 503 hectares.
The other two mining projects are the Nara Gold and Leopard projects. The former covers four mines near Bulawayo with a total recorded production of more than 90 000 ounces (oz), while the latter comprises two groups of claims that have produced 2 000oz.
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“We have obviously experienced some challenges, but overall, our experience here (in Zimbabwe) has been incredibly positive,” Turney said.
“The main challenge we have faced is a bit of policy uncertainty. We are never quite sure what is going to happen next in terms of regulation, but other than that, we have been able to grow extremely quickly.”
While Zimbabwe offers diverse investment opportunities, Kavango remains committed solely to gold mining.
“There is so much opportunity in this country that it is very easy to get pulled in lots of directions, but we are remaining very tightly focused on gold,” Turney said.
With its mechanised mining approach and innovative underground techniques, Kavango is positioning itself as a key player in Zimbabwe’s gold sector.
Earlier this month, the miner made a significant discovery of potential gold at its Hillside Project through its exploration activities.
The Hillside Project is divided into six prospects.
Prospect one, however, has shown the most potential for a significant gold discovery, according to initial drilling efforts.
Published historic production figures for the Bills Luck Mine at Prospect 1, show 17 000oz of gold were mined at an average grade of 7,7 grammes per tonne between 1916 and 1950.
With gold now trading at record highs over US$3 000, Kavango is now working to define the initial results at the Prospect 3 and 4.
Kavango successfully completed its initial resource drilling programme at Prospect 3.
