Dundee Precious Metals announced the gold resource estimates for its ?oka Rakita gold mine in eastern Serbia. Currently, the mine’s inferred ore resources are estimated at 97.9 million tonnes, with a grade of 5.6 grams per tonne, corresponding to a gold content of 1.78 million ounces.
　　It has been less than a year since the mine was discovered in January 2023. Last year, Dundee Company drilled 173 boreholes, totaling 80,700 meters in length.
　　The ore resource in the high-grade zone of the Qiaokalakita gold deposit amounts to 2.8 million tons, with a grade of 10.12 grams per ton and a gold content of 914,000 ounces. The company will continue drilling, but the high-grade ore zones will enhance the economic benefits in the early stages of production.
　　“The preliminary resource estimate represents an important milestone for Dundee’s future growth and confirms that the Chokalakita project is an attractive, high-quality gold mining opportunity,” said David Rae, CEO of Dundee, at a press conference.
　　“Just 11 months ago, we first discovered the Chokalakita gold deposit. In such a short period of time, the resource estimate for this deposit has already risen to 1.8 million ounces—a significant achievement for Dundee Corporation. We plan to accelerate exploration efforts in the target areas within the Chokalakita mine and its surrounding licensed zones, with the hope of making new discoveries.”
　　The Qiaokalakita deposit remains unexplored in the northeast and southwest directions. Drilling will focus on expanding the orebody boundaries as well as exploring other skarn deposits within the mining rights area.
　　Dundee Company stated that it will accelerate the advancement of this project, and the preliminary economic evaluation is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2024. The company plans to process 850,000 tons of ore annually. Metallurgical tests have shown that combining gravity separation with conventional flotation can increase the gold recovery rate to 90%.