Not puzzling to me. It's an operating asset that meets their investment criteria.....just shows how hungry thry are for extra ounces.....i note Namdini looks to have a significantly lower AISC - means the per oz price should be higher!
2018 Guidance
Targeting 200,000 – 220,000 ounces of gold at AISC3 of $1,050 – 1,150/oz, weighted in favour of H2 2018 when ore yields from Nkran resume steady state production levels• H1 2018: 90,000 – 100,000 ounces at AISC3 of $1,200 – 1,300/oz • H2 2018: 110,000 – 120,000 ounces at AISC3 of $950 – 1,050/oz
5-Year Outlook (2019 – 2023)
Optimized mine plan, using current mine operating data, has improved the multi-pit schedule and reduced the overall strip ratio to deliver competitive AISC3 over a life of mine of 19 years
Average annual production over outlook period (2019 – 2023) of 253,000 ounces at AISC3of $860/oz, an increase in ounces and improvement in AISC3 versus previous P5M unoptimized plan of 243,000 ounces at AISC3of $1,007/oz
Optimized plan generates improved cashflows to provide Asanko with sufficient liquidity during the period of capital spend on Esaase, the installation of the overland conveyor and subsequent debt repayment.
