Africa-focused Hummingbird Resources (AIM: HUM) is facing more challenges at its Kouroussa gold mine in Guinea after one of its main contractors, Corica Mining Services, halted activities as a result of various contractual disputes.
The gold producer, with operations in Mali, Guinea and Liberia, called Corica’s move “a clear breach of the mining contract” as it alleges the contractor “failed to meet mining contract volumes due to delays in mining equipment mobilization, commissioning, and overall operating performance”.
Hummingbird issued a notice to Corica on Monday, demanding the resumption of mining by the end of Tuesday. The company warned that if the contractor failed to do so, it might step in to resume mining operation, or work with alternative suppliers.
According to Corica, Hummingbird Resources owes it $27 million for work already completed. It noted the measure remains conditional and reversible provided the miner pays the pending invoices and provides a Deed of Company Guarantee by April 7.
“Corica has over two decades of history in contracting with major clients and is proud to have had zero litigation to this date,” it said in the statement.
Kouroussa, Hummingbird’s second operating mine, achieved first gold pour in June 2023 and it is expected to churn out an average of 120,000 to 140,000 ounces of gold for the first three years of commercial production. After that, Kouroussa would average 100,000 ounces of gold a year over an initial seven-year life.
Hummingbird took on a $55 million loan with Coris Bank in September, pledging to cut $122.8 million in debt over three years starting with a $77 million debt repayment by the end of this year.
The miner also raised $30 million mainly through a share placement at an average price of 11.26 pence per share with shareholders including 45% shareholder CIG, an investment bank.
Hummingbird agreed at the time to hedge 30,000 ounces of gold, which represents about 15% of its total production. This decision was made amid soaring bullion prices, which hit a new all-time high of $2,195.15 per ounce on March 8.
The miner has faced challenges in bringing the Kouroussa mine up to full production. Aside the ongoing issues with Corica, activities at the main were disrupted last year by rain and delays associated with skill development.
Source: MINING.COM – Read More
