AngloGold Ashanti, a global gold producer has decided to resume operations at two of its mines, the Great Noligwa and Moab Khotsong which were halted after a 5.3 magnitude earthquake affected business at the mines.
The two mines were to be restarted in phases so as to ensure safety, which follows an evaluation of seismic activity in the area and after thorough inspections of vertical shafts and horizontal underground infrastructure. The first production shift was scheduled on the night of August 11.
AngloGold Ashanti’s Chief Operating Officer Mike O’Hare insisted that safety remained the top priority in restarting the operations at the affected mines.
AngloGold Ashanti is a gold producer with 20 operations spanning 10 countries around the world. The company produced a total of 4.105Moz of gold in 2013, and this amounted to a total cash cost of $830/oz.
Moab Khotsong produced 212,000oz at a total cash cost of $797/oz, while Great Noligwa gave 83,000oz which cost $1,100/oz. Production from these two mines accounted for roughly 7% of total group production last year.
