The controversialOmai gold mine, whichbegan operations after a six-month shut down, hasdrawn4p plans to increaseits gold output by 24,000ounces by the end of thisyear. Next year, its target is toachieve an output of 30,000ounces. The increasedproduction is being attributed to more ore reserves -while it was estimated to be41 million tonnes (t) a year,it has now been revised to64 million t.
The mine opened afterstrict environmental controls came into being following a cyanide spill in August'95, which had forced it toclose shop. The new environmental, controls include ahydrogen peroxide plantwhich will mitigate thecyanide concentration in thetailings before its dischargeinto the Omai and Essequiborivers. According to Cambiorand Golden Star, the Canada-based owners of the mine, anew tailings pond coveringan area of 211 ha is also beingbuilt. This pond will befive times larger than theone that burst last year.However, "all measures arebeing taken to ensure itssafe and environmentallysound operations", according to sources at Cambior.The life-span of the minehas also been extended from10 to 12 years.