Libreville ‒ capital of Gabon, which will produce its first gold in 2011

Libreville, Gabon --- MININGREVIEW.COM --- 22 December 2009 - The state of Gabon ‒ one of the more prosperous countries in West Africa due largely to its off-shore oil production ‒ is scheduled to produce its first gold in the next two years.

Groupe ONA ‒ the personal investment fund of Morocco’s King Mohammed VI ‒ revealed here that its 75%-owned unit in Gabon had been awarded a licence to mine gold in the south-east of the country.

“The first gold bullion will be produced and delivered in June 2011,” general manager in charge of precious metals Youssef El Hajjian announced on national television here. “About 52 910 ounces of gold are recoverable, and the operation will last at least three years,” he said.

He pointed out that this project would be the first time that gold would be produced in the West African country.