Projects

Kurmuk Gold Project

Client:

Allied Gold Corporation

Location:

Western Ethiopia

Scope:

DFS Revalidation & FEED

Project Overview 

DRA was engaged by Allied Gold Corporation to deliver the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) revalidation and Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) for the Kurmuk Gold Project, a 6 Mtpa greenfields development located in Western Ethiopia. The project drew ore from the Dish Mountain and Ashashire deposits and was designed to produce approximately 2.4 million ounces of gold doré over a 10-year mine life. 

The project delivered significant value by validating a major East African gold asset through rigorous engineering, cost optimisation, and construction readiness, enabling a smooth transition into execution. 

The process plant utilised a conventional Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) circuit, incorporating primary crushing, SAG and ball milling to 75 µm, gravity recovery, leaching, adsorption, elution, electrowinning, and smelting. The circuit was optimised for variable ore types, including Ashashire fresh ore, which contained gold tellurides and required high lime addition to maintain recovery rates above 90%. 

Tailings were treated via cyanide detoxification and thickening, with return water recovered from a lined downstream tailings storage facility (TSF). Supporting infrastructure included a 900-person accommodation camp, a 12 km access road, power reticulation from a 132 kV grid connection, and full water and reagent systems. 

During FEED, the plant design was refined to accommodate pre-purchased equipment and maximise construction readiness. 

Scope of Services 

Definitive Feasibility Study  

  • Completion of DFS including capital, operating, and sustaining capital estimates to ±15% accuracy
  • Documentation supporting estimates for:
    • Process plant 
    • Non-process infrastructure (e.g., administration buildings, workshops) 
    • Two mine services areas 
    • Accommodation camp facilities 
  • Optimisation of the 12 km site access and haul road to reflect topography and water availability  

DRA Differentiators 

  • Collaborative Multi-Office Delivery: DFS executed by DRA APAC (Perth and Brisbane), with FEED led by DRA EMEA and SENET (Johannesburg), leveraging global expertise and regional insight
  • Construction-Ready Design: FEED phase integrated pre-purchased equipment and bulk earthworks planning to maximise readiness for execution
  • Infrastructure Optimisation: Site access and water supply designs were tailored to local topography and seasonal constraints
  • Local Market Calibration: Cost estimates and tendering strategies were aligned with Ethiopian norms for measurement, pricing, and productivity
  • Seamless Project Gating: High-quality engineering and documentation enabled Allied Gold to successfully gate the project into execution  

Front-End Engineering and Design  

  • Preparation of FEED deliverables to ±10% accuracy, including:
    • Execution plan and detailed project delivery schedule 
    • Engineering design and tender packages for access road, plant, and camp bulk earthworks 
    • Design of construction water supply
    • Integration of pre-purchased equipment into the plant design (e.g., ball mill, apron feeders, CIL tanks)
    • Procurement strategy including purchase of long-lead items  

Challenges Faced 

  • Variable Ore Characteristics: Ashashire ore required specific metallurgical adjustments, including high lime dosing to achieve target recoveries
  • Construction Water Constraints: Limited water availability during early works required innovative design and scheduling solutions
  • Remote Logistics and Access: The 12 km access road and remote location demanded careful planning for equipment delivery and workforce mobilisation
  • Integration of Pre-Purchased Equipment: Incorporating major equipment items into the design required iterative engineering and procurement coordination  

Project Outcome 

The DFS revalidation and FEED delivered by DRA provided Allied Gold Corporation with a technically sound, construction-ready development plan for the Kurmuk Gold Project. The successful completion of these phases enabled the project to advance into EPCM execution.