Siguiri Gold Mine: Exploring One of the Largest Gold Mines in Guinea
Located in the remote Kankan region of north-eastern Guinea, the Siguiri gold mine is one of the largest gold mines in the country. The mine is owned and operated by AngloGold Ashanti, a global gold mining company headquartered in South Africa.
About Siguiri Gold Mine
Siguiri gold mine is situated within the Siguiri District in the Kankan Region of north-eastern Guinea. It is approximately 850km north-east of the capital city of Conakry. The mine was opened in 1984 and currently produces approximately 400,000 ounces of gold annually.
The Siguiri gold mine is an open pit and underground operation, which employs traditional open pit mining techniques. The mine is owned and operated by AngloGold Ashanti, a global gold mining company headquartered in South Africa. The mine is located within the Siguiri Basin and is surrounded by the Siguiri Forest Reserve.
History of Siguiri Gold Mine
The Siguiri gold mine was first discovered in 1984 by the French company Société des Mines de Siguiri. The mine was opened in 1984 and since then has been operated by AngloGold Ashanti.
The mine is situated within the Siguiri Basin and is surrounded by the Siguiri Forest Reserve. The Siguiri Forest Reserve is home to a variety of wildlife and is also an important source of water for local communities.
Mining Process at Siguiri Gold Mine
The Siguiri gold mine employs traditional open pit mining techniques. The ore extracted from the mine is processed at the nearby Siguiri processing plant. The processing plant consists of two main sections: the crushing and grinding section, and the gravity recovery section.
The ore is crushed and then ground in a ball mill. The ground ore is then concentrated in a gravity circuit, which consists of a number of jigs and shaking tables. The concentrate is then transferred to a leach circuit, where it is mixed with a solution of cyanide and lime. This solution is then passed through a series of tanks, where the gold is extracted from the ore.
Environmental and Social Impact of Siguiri Gold Mine
The Siguiri gold mine has had a significant impact on the environment and social life of the local communities. The mine has caused deforestation in the surrounding areas. The deforestation has had a negative impact on the local wildlife, as well as a reduction in the water supply for local communities.
The mine has also caused air and water pollution, which has a detrimental effect on the health of local communities. The mine has also had a negative impact on the local economy, as the local communities are dependent on the mining activities for their livelihoods.
Conclusion
The Siguiri gold mine is one of the largest gold mines in Guinea. The mine is situated within the Siguiri District in the Kankan Region of north-eastern Guinea. The mine was opened in 1984 and currently produces approximately 400,000 ounces of gold annually. The mine is owned and operated by AngloGold Ashanti, a global gold mining company headquartered in South Africa. The mine has had a significant impact on the environment and social life of the local communities.