Construction of first sulphide process line complete at Peñasquito

Goldcorp has completed construction of the first sulphide process line (Line 1) at the mining company’s Peñasquito project in Zacatecas, Mexico (Operation Focus in IM September 2008, p12-22) and has commissioning work advancing on schedule. The primary crusher is complete and has filled the coarse ore stockpile with 230,000 t of crushed ore in preparation for initial milling. The Line 1 feeders, conveying systems, construction of the Line 1 SAG mill and two ball mills are complete and commissioning is underway. The Line 1 lead and zinc flotation circuits are also essentially complete.

“Reaching mechanical completion on time and on budget is a tremendous accomplishment and a testament to the excellent team assembled at Peñasquito,” said Chuck Jeannes, Goldcorp President and Chief Executive Officer. “The next important milestones will be reached with the production and shipment of first concentrates during the second half of 2009 and expected commercial production at this world class mine on January 1, 2010.”

Construction of the second sulphide process line (Line 2) is well underway and progressing toward planned completion in the third quarter of 2010. Many of the components are already on site, including the wrap-around drive motor for the SAG mill and the motors for the two ball mills. The mill shells for both the SAG and ball mills arrived in Mexico in early July and are currently en-route to the site. Each of the two process lines have designed throughput of 50,000 t/d. Following the completion of the high pressure grinding roll circuit, throughput is expected to reach 130,000 t/d in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Good progress continues to be made in all aspects of project development. Highlights include:

  • Commissioning of the last of the initial haul trucks. All 57 of the 300 t trucks are operating in conjunction with four electric shovels. The mining rate is now averaging in excess of 500,000 t/d. The primary purpose of the current mining of overburden and surface oxide ore is to expose the underlying sulphide ore in preparation for the commencement of milling operations. Throughout this mining activity, more sulphide ore has been encountered than was planned and as a result a stockpile of 4.2 Mt of sulphide has been established ahead of the primary crusher
  • Construction and permitting of a new, permanent airstrip west of the site facilities to replace the previous temporary facility. Flights to the new airstrip commenced in June
  • Advancement of mine optimisation initiatives, including an independent power plant and in-pit crushing and conveying.

Goldcorp is one of the lowest-cost and fastest growing multi-million ounce gold producers with operations throughout the Americas. Its gold production remains 100% unhedged.