March 23 (Reuters) - Burkina Faso aims to increase mineral production and grow to become Africa's fourth biggest gold miner in the next three years. Below is a list of operating and planned mines in the West African country.
OPERATIONAL MINES
TAPARKO/BOUROUM MINE
Mining company: High River Gold
Estimated reserves: 35 tonnes
Start of production: Oct 8, 2007
Production to date: 33,533 ounces in 2008
Forecast: 76,806 ounces for 2009
YOUGA
Mining company: Etruscan Resources
Estimated reserves: 25 tonnes
Launch of commercial production: July 1, 2008
Production to date: 29,305 ounces for fiscal 2008
(five months ending Nov 30, 2008)
Forecast: 80,000-90,000 ounces for fiscal 2009
WONA-FOBIRI-MANA
Mining company: Semafo
Estimated reserves: 35 tonnes
Start of production: June 30, 2008
Production to date: 44,100 ounces for nine months ending Sept 30, 2008
Forecast: 121,000-132,000 ounces for 2009
KALSAKA
Mining company: Cluff Gold
Estimated reserves: 22.5 tonnes
Official launch date of production: Nov, 2008
Forecast: 60,000 ounces a year "with significant potential to increase."
PLANNED MINES
PERKOA
Resource: Zinc
Mining company: Aim Resources
Estimated reserves: 6 million tonnes at 14.5% grade of zinc
Estimated cost of investment: 75 billion CFA francs ($156.1 million)
Official launch date of construction: March 26, 2007
INATA
Resource: Gold
Mining company: WEGA Mining
Estimated reserves: 22.5 tonnes
Official launch date of construction: April 28, 2008
KIERE
Resource: Manganese
Mining company: Sarl
Estimated reserves: 600,000 tonnes
Official launch date of construction: Dec 15, 2008
GUILO-BAYILDIAGA
Resource: Gold
Mining company: Stremco
Estimated reserves: 1.26 tonnes
Official launch date of construction: during 2009
ESSAKANE
Resource: Gold
Mining company: Iamgold Estimated reserves: 100 tonnes
Official launch date of construction: March 19, 2009
TAMBAO
Resource: Manganese
Mining company: Wadi Al Rawda
Estimated reserves: 19 million tonnes, at a grade of 52%
Status: under feasibility studies
BISSA-ZANDKOM
Resource: Gold
Mining company: High River Gold
Estimated reserves: 75 tonnes
Status: feasibility studies starting during 2009
KIAKA
Resource: Gold
Mining company: Randgold Resources
Estimated reserves: 65 tonnes
Status: feasibility studies starting during 2009
SOURCES: General Direction of Mines, Quarries and Energy in Burkina Faso and company websites. (Compiled by Katrina Manson; Editing by Daniel Magnowski)