https://www.miningweekly.com

Equinox announces Aurizona expansion study outcomes

21st September 2021

By: Creamer Media Reporter

     

Font size: - +

Bullion miner Equinox Gold has completed a prefeasibility study (PFS) to expand its Aurizona mine, in Brazil. Incorporating the underground and satellite deposits into the mine plan will nearly double the mine life, increase production and generate about $1-billion in net cash flow at current gold prices.

Announcing the outcomes of the PFS, Equinox stated that the expanded mine would produce an average of 137 000 oz/y over an 11 year mine life. Peak production between 2026 and 2029 would yield more than 160 000 oz/y.

The PFS delivered a net present value, at a 5% discount, of $134-million at $1 500/oz and $600-million at $1 800/oz.

The PFS contemplates a three-year capital development and construction timeline for the underground mine. Total initial capital costs during this period are estimated at $154-million. Underground capital costs assume the mining fleet is purchased. Leasing the mining fleet would reduce capital costs by $25-million.

“I am incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished at Aurizona. The expansion will create additional economic and social opportunities for our community partners and substantial value for our shareholders, with significant potential for further growth as we continue to explore what could eventually be a multi-decade mine,” said CEO Christian Milau.

The updated mineral reserve and resource estimates for Aurizona, incorporating the new underground and openpit deposits and offsetting 18 months of mining depletion, show a 73% increase over the December 2019 estimate, with 1.7-million ounces of proven and probable miner reserves, grading 1.6 g/t gold, plus 868 000 oz of measured and indicated mineral resources grading 1.49 g/t.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

Comments

The functionality you are trying to access is only available to subscribers.

If you are already a subscriber, you can Login Here.

If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe now, by selecting one of the below options.

For more information or assistance, please contact us at subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za.

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION