Steppe Gold, the Mongolian gold mining firm established in 2006, has announced that it’s in the process of entering ‘Phase 2’ of operations at its highly anticipated ATO gold mine. The company issued a statement indicating that it plans to raise operational output from the mine to 1.3 million ounces of fine gold per year by the end of 2025.
Located approximately 60 kilometres from the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar, ATO gold mine is a classic low-grade but high-grade deposit of gold and silver. The Tangki deposit, which is estimated to have a resource of around 8 million ounces of gold, is the largest deposit at the site.
The firm has left nothing to chance in its bid to maximize the operation’s potential. It’s working with a number of experts, including Russian contractor Almaz Group, which specializes in gold mining and mineral exploration. Steppe Gold has also announced plans to add a processing plant to the ATO Gold Mine, which will increase the overall scale and efficiency of the operation.
According to Steppe Gold CEO, Peter Lewis-Jones, the firm has taken significant steps to develop both its human and natural resources in order to capitalize on the opportunity that ATO Gold Mine presents. He says, “We are confident that, by combining the expertise of our local personnel, the operational efficiency of our equipment, and the support of our partners, Phase 2 of the ATO Gold Mine will prove to be an exciting and highly profitable venture.”
To prepare for the Phase 2 expansion of the ATO gold mine, the firm has already made a number of investments, such as a new conveyor system for the processing facility and an additional state-of-the-art vertical pumping system for their underground network. It’s also hired extra staff, increased its mining fleet and invested in cutting-edge drilling and infrastructural technology.
The firm is now gearing up for Phase 2, which is set to begin in early 2022. With the expansion on track to begin as planned, the firm is confident that the ATO Gold Mine will become one of the most sophisticated and technologically advanced gold mines in the world. This would in turn enable Steppe Gold to contribute significantly to Mongolia’s economy and benefit the country in a number of ways.
Phase 2 operations at the ATO Gold Mine are a step in the right direction for Steppe Gold. The company is reinforcing its commitment to high-grade gold deposits and is paving the way for the rapid growth of its Mongolian gold production.
