Allied Gold Corporation has initiated wet commissioning at its flagship Kurmuk Gold Mine in western Ethiopia. This marks a significant milestone in the project's transition from construction to production. The company expects to introduce ore into the processing circuit within days, with the first gold pour targeted shortly thereafter. The development follows months of progressive testing of the mine's processing systems in the Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State.
Water has begun flowing from the main storage dam to the processing plant, enabling the company to wet-commission individual circuits sequentially ahead of the introduction of ore. The semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill and ball mill drives have been energised, with testing and commissioning nearing completion. This progress indicates that the project is on track to meet its production targets.
The crushing circuit is already operational, and the company has been building a stockpile of crushed ore to support the initial production ramp-up. Kurmuk is a conventional open-pit mining operation using truck-and-shovel methods to supply ore to a carbon-in-leach (CIL) processing plant. The project has significant reserves, with Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves of 2.7 million ounces of gold across its Dish Mountain and Ashashire deposits.
Allied Gold expects the mine to produce between 25,000 and 35,000 ounces of gold during November and December 2026, with commercial production targeted within the same period. The company's 2027 production guidance for Kurmuk stands at between 240,000 and 270,000 ounces of gold. Output is projected to increase further to approximately 300,000 ounces in 2028.
Over the first four full years of operation, Allied Gold expects the mine to produce an annual average of nearly 300,000 ounces. The operation is designed to sustain average annual production of at least 240,000 ounces over an initial 15-year strategic mine-life target. This long-term production plan underscores the company's confidence in the project's potential.
The project is supported by a land package covering approximately 1,450 square kilometres, offering considerable potential for further mineral exploration and resource expansion. As a Canadian-based gold producer, Allied Gold operates mining assets in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, and Ethiopia. The company considers Kurmuk a transformational project expected to strengthen its position in the international gold mining industry.
With the wet commissioning underway, Allied Gold is poised to become a significant player in the gold mining sector. The company's progress at Kurmuk highlights its commitment to expanding its presence in Ethiopia and the wider region. As the project moves towards full production, it is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy and the country's mining sector.
Key points
- Allied Gold targets first gold production within days at Kurmuk mine.
- The mine is expected to produce between 240,000 and 270,000 ounces of gold in 2027.
- Kurmuk has Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves of 2.7 million ounces of gold.
