PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Gold explorer Chalice Gold Mines expects to complete the feasibility study for its Koka project, in Eritrea, by July, the company reported on Friday.

In its quarterly results for the three months ended March 31, ASX-listed Chalice noted that field work for the environmental and socio-economic studies have been largely competed, and reporting was well advanced.

The completion of infill drilling at the Koka main site has confirmed the high-grade nature of the ore body, Chalice said, adding that these results would form part of a revised resource estimate, would be completed in the June quarter.

As part of its strategy to advance the Koka deposit to production, Chalice would apply for a listing on the TSX.

Chalice believed that a dual listing on the TSX would further raise the profile and states of the company, within the global investment community.

“A dual listing on the TSX should provide increased liquidity to the company’s current and future shareholders. In addition, it will provide increased access to the larger North American and European capital markets, as the company advances its Zara project through to production.”

It is anticipated that an application for the TSX listing would be made during the June quarter, with a view of listing shortly thereafter.

The Koka gold project has an estimated total mineral reserve of 5,04-million tons, at 5,8 g/t gold, for a contained mineral reserve of 944 000 oz. While the feasibility study was aimed for completion by July this year, Chalice was hoping to start gold production during 2011.