TORONTO, Dec. 14, 2009 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX News Network) --
Anatolia Minerals Development Limited ("Anatolia" or the "Company") (TSX:ANO) announces the start of mining operations at the Çopler Gold Mine ("Çopler") in Turkey. Initial mining is in the Manganese Mine Zone. Near surface low grade ore mined during the pre-stripping phase will be used for heap leach pad overliner. Other ores will be stockpiled until the heap leach pad and primary crusher are commissioned. Critical path items remain on schedule for first gold pour during the fourth quarter 2010.
Mining operations are contracted to Çiftay Insaat Taahhut ve Ticaret A.S. ("Çiftay"), under the supervision of Anatolia's mining department. Çiftay's mining fleet currently includes ten Mercedes 3340 haul trucks. The mining rate will ramp up over the next several months and is expected to average greater than 25,000 tonnes per day total material (ore and waste) during 2010. After commissioning the primary crusher, the mining rate will be increased to average greater than 40,000 tonnes per day total material for the remaining life of mine.
Edward Dowling, President and CEO of Anatolia stated, "Achieving this milestone at Çopler is an important step in our construction schedule. Much of the waste material from early pre-stripping will be used for construction of the heap leach pad, but we do have ore at and near surface. We'll stockpile ore not used for overliner until the primary crusher is commissioned next fall."
About Anatolia
Anatolia, recognized as a leader in exploration and development in Turkey, is developing Çopler. Çopler is 95% owned by Anatolia and 5% by Çalik Mining (see News Release, August 13, 2009). Initial plans are to produce approximately 1.3 million ounces of gold at a cash cost of about US$260 per ounce. The first gold pour at Çopler is expected in 2010 with full production of about 175,000 ounces of gold per year anticipated in 2011. Additional production expansion of the oxide and sulfide gold resource is expected at Çopler by taking advantage of the inherent large resource through on-going technical activities. In addition, Anatolia holds a significant pipeline of prospective gold and base metal projects.
Anatolia currently has 137.9 million common shares issued and outstanding, 156.5 million fully diluted. For more information please contact Edward Dowling, President and CEO, or Douglas Tobler, CFO at (303) 292-1299 or visit www.anatoliaminerals.com. Anatolia's common shares are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "ANO."
Anatolia Minerals Development Limited ("Anatolia" or the "Company") (TSX:ANO) announces the start of mining operations at the Çopler Gold Mine ("Çopler") in Turkey. Initial mining is in the Manganese Mine Zone. Near surface low grade ore mined during the pre-stripping phase will be used for heap leach pad overliner. Other ores will be stockpiled until the heap leach pad and primary crusher are commissioned. Critical path items remain on schedule for first gold pour during the fourth quarter 2010.
Mining operations are contracted to Çiftay Insaat Taahhut ve Ticaret A.S. ("Çiftay"), under the supervision of Anatolia's mining department. Çiftay's mining fleet currently includes ten Mercedes 3340 haul trucks. The mining rate will ramp up over the next several months and is expected to average greater than 25,000 tonnes per day total material (ore and waste) during 2010. After commissioning the primary crusher, the mining rate will be increased to average greater than 40,000 tonnes per day total material for the remaining life of mine.
Edward Dowling, President and CEO of Anatolia stated, "Achieving this milestone at Çopler is an important step in our construction schedule. Much of the waste material from early pre-stripping will be used for construction of the heap leach pad, but we do have ore at and near surface. We'll stockpile ore not used for overliner until the primary crusher is commissioned next fall."
About Anatolia
Anatolia, recognized as a leader in exploration and development in Turkey, is developing Çopler. Çopler is 95% owned by Anatolia and 5% by Çalik Mining (see News Release, August 13, 2009). Initial plans are to produce approximately 1.3 million ounces of gold at a cash cost of about US$260 per ounce. The first gold pour at Çopler is expected in 2010 with full production of about 175,000 ounces of gold per year anticipated in 2011. Additional production expansion of the oxide and sulfide gold resource is expected at Çopler by taking advantage of the inherent large resource through on-going technical activities. In addition, Anatolia holds a significant pipeline of prospective gold and base metal projects.
Anatolia currently has 137.9 million common shares issued and outstanding, 156.5 million fully diluted. For more information please contact Edward Dowling, President and CEO, or Douglas Tobler, CFO at (303) 292-1299 or visit www.anatoliaminerals.com. Anatolia's common shares are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "ANO."