Name of the Project
Cöpler sulphide expansion project.

Location
Turkey.

Client
Alacer Gold (80%).

Project Description
The Cöpler sulphide project will entail the introduction of a whole-ore pressure oxidation (POX) circuit that will extend the mine life and boost current resources and reserves. The POX facility is expected to process sulphide ore at a rate of 5 000 t/d and will result in a 20-year mine life for the project. Gold recovery for the sulphide plant is expected to average 96% over the life of the mine.

Twin horizontal enclaves will enable incremental improvements to increase the throughput rate by 2.2-million tonnes a year by 2021.

Over the remaining project life, the Cöpler mine is expected to produce about four-million ounces of gold.

Jobs to be Created
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has an after-tax net present value, at a 5% discount rate, of $728-million and will provide an after-tax internal rate of return of 19.2%, with a payback of less than three years from the start of sulphide gold production.

Value
Capital expenditure is estimated at $744-million.

Duration
First gold pour is expected in the third quarter of 2018 and the plant will achieve initial design capacity of 1.9-million tonnes a year throughput rate by the end of 2019.

Latest Developments
Alacer Gold has taken delivery of two autoclaves at its 80%-owned Çöpler mine.

The autoclaves form part of the Çöpler sulphide expansion project.

The autoclaves were manufactured at Carpenteria Corsi, in Italy, and transported to the Samsun port, in northern Turkey. Each autoclave was then transported separately to the mine in three pieces, with each weighing about 100 t.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Carpenteria Corsi (autoclaves)

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
Alacer Gold, tel +1 303 292 1299, fax +1 303 297 0538 or email info@alacergold.com.