Overview
| Stage | Production |
| Mine Type | Open Pit |
| Commodities |
|
| Mining Method |
|
| Processing |
- ROM/dump leach
- Merrill–Crowe
- Cyanide (reagent)
|
| Mine Life | 3 years (as of Jan 1, 2017) |
Source:
p. 4
Noche Buena is operated by Minera Penmont S de R.L. de C.V. (Penmont) as a subsidiary of Fresnillo plc. Fresnillo is the 100 percent owner.
Summary:
Noche Buena is an open pit mine.
Processing Technologies
- ROM/dump leach
- Merrill–Crowe
- Cyanide (reagent)
Summary:
Facilities consist of waste rock stockpiles, a heap leach pad, process ponds, a Merrill-Crowe plant, and various support facilities. Run-of-mine ore is placed on the heap leach pad for leaching via drip emitters after adding lime to each truckload. There are four ponds: pregnant pond, intermediate pond, and two contingency ponds.
Noche Buena receives solid cyanide via isotankers with flobins stored in a warehouse as a backup supply. There is an offload facility for the isotankers as well as an adjacent flobin mixing facility. Five tanks are used for receiving, mixing, and distributing the reagent-grade cyanide: dissolution (for isotankers), dilution, preparation (for flobins), storage, and dosification.
The Merrill-Crowe plant consists of a clarification cone, clarifiers, deoxygenation towers, a zinc cone, filter presses, and a sedimentation pond (for clarifier wash water). A refinery is also located onsite.
Recoveries & Grades:
| Commodity | Parameter | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 |
|
Gold
|
Head Grade, g/t
| 0.52 | 0.51 | 0.5 | 0.51 | 0.54 | 0.51 |
|
Silver
|
Head Grade, g/t
| ......  | ...... | ...... | ...... | ...... | ...... |
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Production:
| Commodity | Units | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 |
|
Gold
|
oz
| ...... | ...... | 158,179 | 129,242 | 108,729 | 65,518 |
|
Silver
|
oz
| ...... | ...... | ...... | ...... | ...... | ...... |
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Operational Metrics:
| Metrics | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 |
|
Total tonnes mined
| ...... | ...... | 82,373 kt | 92,593 kt | | |
|
Ore tonnes mined
| ...... | ...... | 17,400 kt | 15,607 kt | | |
|
Tonnes processed
| ...... | ...... | 17,399,931 t | 15,607,230 t | 12,283,709 t | 8,447,301 t |
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Reserves at December 31, 2017:
| Category | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade | Contained Metal |
|
Proven
|
33,151 Mt
|
Gold
|
0.52 g/t
|
554 koz
|
|
Probable
|
16,507 kt
|
Gold
|
0.5 g/t
|
264 koz
|
|
Proven & Probable
|
49,657 kt
|
Gold
|
0.51 g/t
|
819 koz
|
|
Measured
|
33,151 kt
|
Gold
|
0.52 g/t
|
554 koz
|
|
Indicated
|
16,507 kt
|
Gold
|
0.5 g/t
|
264 koz
|
|
Measured & Indicated
|
49,657 kt
|
Gold
|
0.51 g/t
|
819 koz
|
|
Inferred
|
1,173 kt
|
Gold
|
0.48 g/t
|
18 koz
|
Commodity Production Costs:
| | Commodity | Units | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|
Cash costs
|
Gold
|
USD
|
......  †
|
...... †
|
973 / oz†
|
946 / oz†
|
|
All-in sustaining costs (AISC)
|
Gold
|
USD
|
...... †
|
...... †
|
1,015 / oz†
|
1,051 / oz†
|
† Net of By-Product.
- 'Investor' subscription is required.
Operating Costs:
| | Units | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
|
OP mining costs ($/t milled)
|
USD
| 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.9 | 10 | 7.8 |
Financials:
| | Units | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|
Capital expenditures
|
M USD
| ......  | ...... |
2.6
|
20.9
|
|
Revenue
|
M USD
| ...... | ...... |
181.7
|
163.5
|
|
Gross profit
|
M USD
| ...... | ...... |
-1.2
|
11.5
|
- 'Supplier or 'Investor' subscription is required.