Canadian miner Equinox Gold is advancing engineering and economic studies related to the Los Filos carbon-in-leach (CIL) plant and the Santa Luz restart, with the aim of making construction decisions for both projects later this year.
The new $115-million CIL plant forms part of the phased expansion of the Los Filos mine, in Mexico, which commenced in the third quarter of 2019. The CIL plant will complement the existing heap-leach facilities. The feasibility study contemplates a 4 000 t/d plant, but the company has said that it is evaluating the benefits of a larger CIL plant.
The $82-million Santa Luz project, in Brazil, is a past producing mine that could add more than 100 000 oz/y of gold, following a short ten-month construction period.
Meanwhile, Equinox reports that the Pillar mine, in Brazil, is ramping up to full operations after a previously announced short-term suspension of mining activities in compliance with the Goias state government’s Covid-19 restrictions.
The temporary suspension of mining activities at the Los Filos mine in Guerrero state, has been extended in compliance with an order by the federal government, extending the suspension of nonessential activities until May 30, with the potential for earlier startup on May 18, in areas with low or no cases of Covid-19.
The company has continued processing solution from the Los Filos heap leach pads and producing gold at a reduced level during the temporary suspension.
Phase 1 construction of the Castle Mountain gold mine, in the US, continues and is about 75% complete.
Equinox has withdrawn its guidance for 2020, owing to the uncertainties related to the pandemic on its operation.
Its previous guidance for the year was to produce 540 000 oz to 600 000 oz at an all-in sustaining cost of $1 000/oz to $1 060/oz.