IAMGOLD Selects Wenco for Essakane Gold Mine

Burkina Faso, West Africa- July 2009

IAMGOLD has selected Wenco for Essakane, a gold mine located in Burkina Faso, West Africa.  Waste strippingand construction works have already commenced at the mine with ore commissioning set for October 2009, and full production anticipated by August 2010.

Wenco will be installing its latest release of software and mobile data terminals on the entire fleet consisting of Cat 777 and 785 trucks, Cat 992 and 993 loaders, Terex RH90 excavator, and Terex RH120 face shovels.  "The system's capabilities are a perfect match for Essakane," stated Jayson Bebek, Regional Manager "Wenco’s system will facilitate solar-powered communication throughout the mine and provide access to real-time data; allowing personnel to respond quickly when key decisions must be made. Essakane will be able to easily integrate and optimize its fleet assignments and improve productivity—all with its existing fleet."

Wenco has customized the system and supporting documentation available in French, the country’s native language.

Essakane is Wenco’s third system installation site which is owned by Iamgold.  Iamgold also owns the Rosebel mine in Surinam and part of Sadiola Hill in Mali.

About Essakane
The Essakane project is fully permitted and under construction. A study in July 2008 indicates proven and probable reserves of 3.1 million ounces using a $600 per ounce gold price. Average gold production is expected to be approximately 315,000 ounces over a minimum nine-year mine life at an average cash operating cost of $358 per ounce, using a $600 per ounce gold price and a $85 per barrel oil price. Full production is anticipated to commence in late 2010, requiring a remaining capital expenditure of approximately $350 million to be invested by that time.

 About Wenco

Wenco provides GPS-based fleet management systems for open pit mines worldwide. The system provides sophisticated automatic dispatching to maximize production while delivery specified ore qualities, plus high precision GPS applications for the positioning and guidance of excavators, dozers, and drills. The products and services include real-time control and reporting software, MS SQL Server database, COTS hardware, Windows-based computer terminals for mobile equipment, and broadband radio communications. With over 20 years experience, Wenco has experience in implementing and supporting systems in a wide variety of mines from Siberia to the Australian Outback.

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