Desert Gold Delivers Key Equipment to Barani Mine Site
News related to:Desert Gold Ventures Inc · 2 min read
Desert Gold Ventures Inc. has announced significant progress at its Barani mine site in the Kayes Region of western Mali. The company has delivered a gravity processing plant and a 650kVA generator to the site, marking a crucial milestone in the project's development.
According to the press release, the plant and generator have arrived at the Barani site, with site access improvements completed and key construction materials and supporting resources mobilized. The company plans to focus on completing civil construction, plant erection, and mechanical and electrical installation in the coming months. Plant commissioning is scheduled for late October 2026, followed by initial processing during November 2026. Initial gold recovery is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026, contingent on the successful completion of construction, commissioning, and ramp-up.
Despite challenges such as significant ocean-freight delays, regional fuel-supply constraints, limited availability of key construction materials, and contractor availability issues, Desert Gold's President and CEO, Jared Scharf, expressed continued progress.
The company has also completed improvements to site access and adjusted the construction sequence to reflect equipment availability, regional supply conditions, and seasonal weather. The principal access route from Bourdala village to the Barani mine site has been rehabilitated, and connections between Berola Camp, Barani Camp, and the mine site are being maintained to support continued access during periods of heavy rainfall. Upgrades to Barani Camp are also being prioritized to shorten the supply route and improve logistical efficiency throughout the wet season.
Hydrogeological and geophysical surveys have been completed, with 15 survey lines and 688 stations. Three boreholes have maintained positive rates of 24, 9, and 8 cubic meters per hour, indicating a positive water supply. However, the final hydrogeological report is pending, and the company is awaiting its recommendations.
No project-specific security, safety, or community incidents have been reported at Barani during the company's 2026 reporting periods. The company continues to advance site activities in accordance with applicable safety, environmental, community, and regulatory requirements.
The near-term execution plan focuses on completing the remaining civil works, advancing mechanical and electrical installation, and progressing through commissioning and initial plant ramp-up. The schedule has been updated to reflect the effects of shipping delays, regional supply constraints, and seasonal weather conditions. Construction continues to advance in stages as equipment, materials, and work areas become available.
Desert Gold Ventures Inc. is a gold exploration and development company with properties in Mali and Côte d'Ivoire. The company is constructing a 200 tonne-per-day gravity processing plant at the Barani site as part of its development plans. The project's success is subject to the completion of the final hydrogeological report and the availability of mineralized material suitable for initial processing.
While the company has not established Mineral Reserves at Barani, its decision to construct and commission the initial gravity plant and target initial processing is based on the results of a preliminary economic assessment. The larger development scenario, which contemplated approximately 1,200 tonnes per day of gravity and carbon-in-leach processing, is not part of the current construction program. Any future expansion toward that larger processing configuration would require additional technical work, applicable approvals, and additional financing.