The Slivova gold project in Kosovo is being developed as a combination of open-pit and underground miningoperations. Initially owned by Innomatik Exploration Kosovo, a subsidiary of Canada’s Avrupa Minerals, the project was later acquired by AVU Kosova, another subsidiary of Avrupa. In May 2023, Western Tethyan Resources (WTR)signed an earn-in agreement with Avrupa, allowing WTR to potentially acquire up to 75% of the project.
The preliminary economic assessment (PEA) was completed in September 2023, estimating an annual production of 13,000 ounces of gold with a projected mine life of over seven years. The Slivova project, located along the Vardar Trend, about 30km south-east of Pristina, requires a capital expenditure of $33.4 million.
The measured and indicated resources at Slivova total 1.13 million tonnes, grading 4g/t gold and 15g/t silver, yielding an estimated 146,000 ounces of gold and 546,000 ounces of silver.
Both open-pit and underground mining methods will be employed, beginning with a small open-pit to access mineral-rich areas. Underground operations will follow, utilizing sublevel open stoping and sublevel caving. The ore processing will involve crushing, grinding, and leaching, ultimately producing gold-silver bullion. Infrastructure at the site includes roads, power lines, and a processing plant on a nearby hilltop.
