(Ecofin Agency) - The Kibali gold mine, in North-Eastern DR Congo, continues with its operations and is in good standing to exceed the production target for 2015 set at 600,000 ounces of gold.

Mark Bristow, Executive Director of Randgold Resources, made this statement on the situation of the mine in a project update, on 16 October, mentioning the good progress in terms of major investments including the commissioning of the second hydroelectric plant of Kibali. “Now that the mine is stabilised, we have been able to focus on the sustainable development issues, such as the ISO certifications for the mine in terms of environment, health and security”, Mr. Bristow explained.

Kibali continues to invest, despite the difficult economic situation, in a vast local development programme, we learned from Randgold, which is listed in London and New York.

The company cites, among others, the launch of the first free television channel in the region, an entrepreneurship training programme from the Cape Town University Graduate School of Business and local economy development initiatives to grant loans to small farms and local entrepreneurs.

Randgold Resources owns 45% of the Kibali project with 10 permits covering a total surface of 1,836 km2 in the Moto fold field. Its partners are AngloGold Ashanti (45%) and the Congolese SOKIMA (10%).