(Ecofin Agency) - After several delays, the start of commercial production at the Kouroussa gold mine in Guinea has been pushed back to Q4 2024. Originally scheduled for Q1 2024, this postponement follows various unforeseen events. Hummingbird Resources, the owner of the mine, is working hard to meet this new deadline.

On September 27, Hummingbird Resources announced a restructuring process within the company. Lincoln Strategic seeks a successor for current CEO Dan Betts, who will become Executive Chairman. The company has also created a new position, Director of Transformation, focused on ensuring the successful ramp-up of the Kouroussa gold mine.

These changes come after a challenging start for Kouroussa, which was commissioned in June 2023. A dispute with a key subcontractor forced Hummingbird to delay commercial production until later this year. 

Betts stated that although they expect to begin commercial production in Q4 2024, this hinges on their capacity and that of their partners to achieve the production plan.

Hummingbird eyes 50,000 to 70,000 ounces of gold at Kouroussa this year, compared to 65,000 to 75,000 ounces at its Yanfolila mine in Mali. On the medium term, the firm targets 200,000 ounces per year across both mines.