Goldplat (LON:GDP) , the AIM-quoted gold producer, has been given the go-ahead by the Kenyan Government to start operations at the Kilimapesa Gold project in the Trans Mara District of south-west Kenya. Kilimapesa Gold recently registered a Mining Location over the current mining area, which allows the operations to continue for a period of one year renewable. The Mining Lease grant process is expected to be completed in the near future in order to secure long term mining rights over the gold prospect.

Goldplat took full control of Kilimapesa Gold in September 2009 when it agreed to pay US$2.7 million to International Gold Exploration AB for the 50% stake in the company that it did not already own. Kilimapesa Gold’s project is located in the potentially gold-rich Migori Archaean Greenstone Belt in Kenya. Goldplat aims to develop a small, profitable, gold mine, with an initial target of producing approximately 5,000 ounces of gold per annum within 12 months of being granted its mining licence. The project currently has a JORC-compliant resource of 1.65m tonnes at 2.44 grams per ton (g/t) of gold for 129,000oz of gold at a cut-off grade of 1 g/t of gold for all categories. However, the company is looking to increase this resource through further exploration in the area. In addition, Kilimapesa Gold is working on plans to increase its production capability and intends to set up an elution plant and carbon regeneration kiln, which will allow the company to export gold bullion rather than concentrate.

Goldplat’s chief ecxecutivem Demetri Manolis, said: “This is very exciting news for us, enabling Kilimapesa Gold to commence operations. The management of Kilimapesa Gold are appreciative of the interest and support shown by the Minister for Environment and Mineral Resources Hon. John N. Michuki, EGH, MP, and will ensure that the progress of the exploration project and mining activity is communicated to him regularly. We look forward to updating shareholders on a regular basis on the project’s progress including capacity build up and associated exploration programme.”

Goldplat has historically funded its mining exploration activities from the cashflow generated from its two gold recovery operations in South Africa and Ghana. However, last December it raised £5.5m in a share placing priced at 10p per share to speed up the development of its assets, including the Nyieme Gold Project in Burkina Faso…

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