B2Gold has started a preliminary economic assessment for the Springbok Zone within the Antelope deposit to begin mining in 2026.
The Antelope deposit which comprises the Springbok Zone, the Oryx Zone, and a possible third structure, Impala, is about three km south of the Otjikoto open pit.
The preliminary economic assessment is expected to be completed in the first half 2025.
B2Gold released an initial inferred mineral resource estimate for the Springbok Zone in the second quarter of 2024.
The company determined that the initial inferred mineral resource estimate of 1.75 million tons grading 6.91 g/t gold for 390,000 ounces was sufficient to initiate a preliminary economic assessment of the Springbok Zone.
B2Gold says the Antelope deposit has the potential to supplement the processing of low-grade stockpiles at the Otjikoto Mine through 2031 to increase gold production levels to over 100,000 ounces per year from 2026 through 2031.
If B2Gold receives a positive economic assessment and a permit, mining of the Springbok Zone, coupled with the exploration potential of the more significant Antelope deposit, could begin to contribute to gold production at Otjikoto in 2026.
B2Gold Corp’s subsidiary B2Gold Namibia announced in April 2023 that it will start a phased mine closure process.
According to a statement signed by Eric Barnard, the mine’s general manager, and John Roos, B2Gold’s country manager, the mine is closing because of low reserves.
