Mineral Deposits’s Sabodala Gold Mine in Senegal has completed production of its first ton, after starting operations in April.

The $220m project is set to process material above the nominal mill capacity of two million tons per annum.

The project is expected to produce 160,000oz of gold in 2009 at a cash operating cost between $420 and $440 an ounce.

The Senegal Government has a 10% stake in Sabodala Gold Operations, which operates the mine.

By staff writer.