:: Freda Rebecca to Double Gold Output

Mwana Africa has provided details of the expansion plan for its Freda Rebecca gold mine in Zimbabwe. The first phase of expansion, which will double the throughput to 55 kt/month and increase gold output from 22 000 ounces a year to 48 000 ounces, will involve increasing the leaching and carbon adsorption capacity. This phase is expected to be completed by November 2006, and will cost between US$3 million and US$4 million.

The second phase, which is scheduled for completion by the first quarter of 2007 at an additional cost of US$4 million to US$5 million, will entail the commissioning of a second SAG mill and further increased leaching capacity. Freda Rebecca currently has 254 000 ounces of proven and probable reserves, and 1.076 million ounces of measured, indicated and inferred resources.