08:54 AM EDT, 06/13/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Asante Gold ( ASGOF ) said on Thursday that it expects to advance the development of the open pit and underground mine at the Bibiani gold operation in Ghana following the recent completion of two detour roads.

The company said rerouting the Bibiani-Goaso Highway gives it access to about 170,000 ounces of contained gold from the main pit in the next 12 months and supports planning to process 250,000 ounces from the 2026 fiscal year onwards.

Separately, Asante said the principle, long lead equipment for the planned sulfide recovery plant at Bibiani is expected to be shipped in mid-August. The plant's installation is expected to improve the gold recovery at Bibiani to 92% from 70%.