Fortuna commences stacking ore at Lindero gold project
Published by Jessica Casey,
Editor
Global Mining Review,
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. has reported the successful completion of commissioning of the primary and secondary crushing circuits and the start of stacking ore on the heap leach pad at the Lindero gold project, located in the Province of Salta, Argentina.
Jorge A. Ganoza, President, CEO and Director of Fortuna Silver, commented: “The successful commissioning of the primary and secondary crushing circuits and the start of stacking ore on the heap leach pad are key and much awaited milestones at Lindero.”
“Our project team is delivering on schedule and budget according to the revised plan, despite the challenges and limitations of carrying on construction activities under COVID-19 related constraints,” he added.
Ganoza concluded: “The next upcoming milestone is the start of heap irrigation which is scheduled for the end of August.”
Highlights:
- As at the end of June 2020, the overall project is 97% complete.
- Primary and secondary crushing circuits have been successfully commissioned and the ramp-up phase has started.
- Ore stacking on the initial irrigation cell at the heap leach pad commenced on 10 July 2020.
- Ore irrigation and leaching of the heap is planned to commence at the end of August 2020.
- The first gold pour is planned for the end of 3Q20.
Ore crushing and stacking
The ramp-up phase of the primary and secondary crushing circuits will involve an increase in production until nominal rates of 18 750 tpd are achieved. The company expects to achieve nominal rate production in 4Q20; inclusive of the tertiary HPGR system and agglomeration plant.
Ore stacking on the initial irrigation cell at the heap leach pad began on 10 July 2020. Heap irrigation is scheduled to commence at the end of August.
Ore for the commissioning and initial ramp-up of the crushing circuit and stacking on the heap leach pad is being sourced from the medium grade coarse ore stockpile inventory, of approximately 1 million t averaging 0.55 g/t gold. During the period from July 2020 to December 2020, an estimated 1.7 - 1.9 million t of ore are scheduled to be placed on the leach pad with an average gold grade of 1.00 g/t to 1.10 g/t. The estimated stripping ratio during this period is 0.68 to 0.75.
Final construction activities related to the process ponds, ADR and SART plants continues with electrical and piping installations progressing according to plan. The process pond and ADR plant electric rooms have been energized. Pre-commissioning of the solution handling system started on 11 July 2020 with the barren pond pumping equipment.
Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/handling-processing/16072020/fortuna-commences-stacking-ore-at-lindero-gold-project/
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