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Nicaragua
El Limon Mine

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 Location:
38 km NE from Leon, Nicaragua

  Regional Office:
Residencial Las Colinas, Kinder Montessori 1 C. al E, 1 C. al N, 80 mts al E, #273
Managua
Nicaragua
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  • Overview
  • Owners
  • Geology
  • Mining
  • Processing
  • Production
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  • Fleet
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  • Filings & News

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Overview

StageProduction
Mine TypeOpen Pit / Underground
Commodities
  • Gold
Mining Method
  • Longitudinal open stoping
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
  • Sub-level stoping
  • Sill mining
  • Backfill
Processing
  • Carbon re-activation kiln
  • Smelting
  • Agitated tank (VAT) leaching
  • Carbon in pulp (CIP)
  • Carbon adsorption-desorption-recovery (ADR)
  • Elution
  • Solvent Extraction & Electrowinning
  • Cyanide (reagent)
Mine Life2031
Latest NewsCalibre Increases Mineral Reserves by Over 200% to 864,000 ounces of Gold     March 29, 2021


Owners & OPERATOR

Source: p. 6
CompanyInterestOwnership
Triton Minera S.A. (operator) 100 % Direct
Calibre Mining Corp. 100 % Indirect
On October 15, 2019, Calibre Mining Corp. acquired a 100%-interest in the Limon and Libertad gold mines, the Pavon gold project (“Pavon”) and additional mineral concessions in Nicaragua (collectively, the “Nicaragua Assets”) from B2Gold.

Deposit Type

  • Epithermal
  • Vein / narrow vein


Summary:

According to Pearson and Speirs (2009), the El Limon vein system is classified as a low sulphidation epithermal system.

Gold mineralization in the Limón district is structurally controlled and forms veins that occupy pre-existing fault structures and extensional openings formed during mineralization. The veins are quartz dominant with lesser and variable quantities of calcite, and minor adularia. Pyrite is the predominant sulphide, but with a content of less than one percent. Trace amounts of chalcopyrite, sphalerite, arsenopyrite, altaite, gold tellurides, and native gold are also reported to occur. Gold is present in both the banded quartz and silicified breccias that form the veins. Gold is very fine-grained within the quartz vein, and is relatively uniformly distributed throughout the higher-grade parts of the veins; only once has visible gold been reported on the El Limón Mine concession.

The productive vein systems are approximately one to two kilometres long, with vein widths from less than one metre up to 25 m. Individual mineralized shoots within the veins range from 60 m to 450 m long horizontally, and from 40 m to 290 m vertically. Strike orientations vary from north-northwest through northeast to east-west, and dips are from 40° to nearly vertical. All economic gold mineralization discovered and mined to date lies within 400 m of surface. The productive and prospective elevations within the vein systems vary across the district. Post-mineral faults locally disrupt and offset the vein.

The gold-bearing veins and attendant alteration are hosted within volcanic flows, volcaniclastic strata, and possibly hypabyssal intrusions of the lowest volcanic unit. The other three gently dipping volcanic units are variously altered by the same hydrothermal fluids that deposited the gold veins, locally quartz stringers with low gold values are found in the massive porphyritic andesite flows that immediately underlie the unconformity contact with the youngest flat-lying unit. The youngest volcanic unit appears to post-date gold mineralization because no veins or vein-related alteration has, as yet, been identified within this unit.

The most extensive areas of argillic and quartz alteration form a corridor that crosses the El Limón mineral concession along a roughly west to east trend, this alteration corridor is mostly located to the south of the Talavera, Limón, and Santa Pancha-Panteón vein systems and is partially capped by the young, flat-lying volcaniclastic unit. Much of this alteration is part of the upper, near-paleosurface component of the low-sulphidation epithermal system that formed the productive gold veins. Preliminary mapping indicates the presence of both distal and proximal alteration facies related to the epithermal system.

The identification of the proximal alteration facies, combined with the presence of auriferous quartz vein boulders and silicified, steeply inclined structures, provide exploration guides for the discovery of new gold-bearing vein systems, and increase the exploration potential along this corridor.


Mining Methods

  • Longitudinal open stoping
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
  • Sub-level stoping
  • Sill mining
  • Backfill


Summary:

El Limón mining units include the Santa Pancha 1, Santa Pancha 2, and Veta Nueva underground mines and the Limón Central open pit mine.

Mining operations use conventional open pit mining methods at the Limón Central open pit and a combination of top-down and bottom-up sequenced longitudinal open stoping (LOS) at El Limón underground mines.

All underground mines are ramp accessed using a variation of the LOS method for ore production. The Santa Pancha mine currently experiences groundwater at 70°C and inflow rates of up to 95 litres per second, while the SP2 and Veta Nueva mines do not experience significant groundwater inflows. An underground mine dewatering system has been installed at SP1 to manage groundwater inflows. The SP1 mine operates at elevated temperatures as a result of the hot groundwater and virgin rock temperatures, and mine ventilation is used to cool the mine and remove contaminants. Fresh air enters the mine at the portal, is drawn down the ramp, onto the main levels, and exhausts from the mine via ventilation raises.

The Limón Central pit will be a conventional open pit mine with 6 m bench height, using drill and blast for rock breakage and excavators and trucks for materials handling. The vein and stockwork zones will be mined selectively. The pit ramps were designed at 10% maximum gradient and 17 m width for double lane traffic, with the exception of the last four benches of the ramp in the pit bottom, where the ramp is narrowed to a width of 11 m, and suitable for single lane traffic. The ultimate pit bottom is planned at the -18 m elevation. The highest pit wall of 200 m will be achieved in Phase 3. The design premise was to mine the pits to a minimum mining width of 30 m with the pit bottom as a narrow bench excavated with a backhoe to reduce the mining width 20 m.

Production from underground and surface mines is combined to feed the El Limón processing plant with a nominal capacity of 500,000 tpa. For the remaining LOM, underground mines combine to produce 500 tpd, Limón Central production rates range from 850 tpd to 1,150 tpd, and the El Limón process plant is fed at a rate of approximately 1,450 tpd.

Underground Mine Design
The Santa Pancha deposits extend to 300 m below surface. The orebodies are generally steeply dipping with the dip varying between 65° and 70°. Underground mining at the Santa Pancha mines will be carried out using a combination of top-down sequenced LOS with sill pillars and bottom-up sub-level stoping (SLS) with backfill.

The Veta Nueva deposit is a steeply dipping orebody extending 150 m below surface. The orebody thickness ranges from 3 m to 10 m. The deposit has been designed and scheduled to use SLS in a bottom-up fashion.

LOS will be accessed from the FW with ore drives developed along the veins. The stopes will be drilled and mucked from the undercut retreating towards the access drift. SLS stopes will be accessed by an undercut drift and a topcut drift. Production drilling is accomplished from the top cut and mucking from the undercut. Each level will be mined using a retreat approach where on vein development progresses centre out and stope production starts at the end and retreats towards the access point. Stopes on a given level will be completely mined and filled with unconsolidated fill prior to mining progressing to the next level. Waste rock for backfill will be sourced from underground development waste and surface waste stockpiles.

Open Pit Mining
The El Limón open pit deposits are subdivided into five zones; Tigra/Chaparral, Limón North, Limón Central, Limón South, and Pozo Bono. The Limón Central deposit contains Mineral Resources classified as Indicated and Inferred, while the Mineral Resources at the remaining deposits are classified as Inferred. The Limón Central Mineral Reserves in this report are based on Indicated Mineral Resources only, above a cut-off grade of 1.32 g/t Au, contained between the end of June 2019 surface and the ultimate pit design.

The ore zone consisting of vein/quartz breccia and stockwork zones is mined selectively.

A scoping level mine design and production schedule was developed for the Limón Central deposit based on an open pit mining method. Mining will be undertaken by contractor using conventional truck and loader equipment. Mining through the backfilled underground workings is a manageable risk, however, it may result in unplanned delays and additional costs.

The mine plan for the open pit mine results in production of approximately 300,000 tpa mill feed. The Limón Central pit has been operational since December 2018, and a substantial portion of the overlying barren rock has been removed in a "pre-stripping" phase to expose the initial ore for production.


Crushing and Grinding
Crusher / Mill TypeModelSizePowerQuantity
Jaw crusher 1
SAG mill 17.5' x 6.7' 745 kW 1
Ball mill 12' x 16' 1050 kW 1

Summary:

The processing plant consists of the following unit operations:

• Single-stage crushing with a jaw crusher capable of processing approximately 100 tonnes per hour (tph) and a crushed ore stockpile.

• Two-stage grinding to 90% passing 75 µm utilizing a conventional semi-autogenous grinding (SAG)-ball mill circuit (without a pebble crusher); the SAG and ball mills are 17.5 ft x 6.7 ft and 745 kW and 12 ft x 16 ft and 1,050 kW, respectively. Pebbles are periodically returned to the grinding circuit.


Processing

  • Carbon re-activation kiln
  • Smelting
  • Agitated tank (VAT) leaching
  • Carbon in pulp (CIP)
  • Carbon adsorption-desorption-recovery (ADR)
  • Elution
  • Solvent Extraction & Electrowinning
  • Cyanide (reagent)

Flow Sheet: Subscription required

Summary:

The Limón processing plant is a conventional processing plant consisting of agitated cyanide leaching and carbon adsorption, followed by carbon elution, electrowinning, and doré production.

The processing plant consists of the following unit operations:

- Single-stage crushing with a jaw crusher capable of processing approximately 100 tonnes per hour (tph) and a crushed ore stockpile.

- Two-stage grinding to 90% passing 75 µm utilizing a conventional semi-autogenous grinding (SAG)-ball mill circuit (without a pebble crusher); the SAG and ball mills are 17.5 ft x 6.7 ft and 745 kW and 12 ft x 16 ft and 1,050 kW, respectively. Pebbles are periodically returned to the grinding circuit.

- Pre-leach thickening to 43% solids, followed by leaching in five leach tanks (2 x 1,100 m3 and 3 x 955 m3) with oxygen addition, and carbon adsorption in eight 40 m3 carbon-in-pulp (CIP) tanks.

- Tailings disposal by pumping to the lined San Jose TSF. ........

Recoveries & Grades:

CommodityParameter202020182017201620152014
Gold Recovery Rate, %  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
Gold Head Grade, g/t 5.253.643.093.223.693.38
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Production:
On October 15, 2019, Calibre acquired B2Gold’s interest in the El Limon and La Libertad gold mines, the Pavon gold project and additional mineral concessions in Nicaragua (collectively, the “Nicaragua Assets”).

CommodityUnits2020201920182017201620152014
Gold oz  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required49,62942,77645,48352,26448,045
All production numbers are expressed as metal in doré.
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Operational Metrics:

Metrics202020192018201720162015
Ore tonnes mined  ......  Subscription required
Waste  ......  Subscription required
Tonnes milled  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required447,961 t458,419 t467,404 t468,972 t
Annual milling capacity  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
Daily milling rate  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required1,347 t
Daily milling capacity  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required1,339 t
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Reserves at December 31, 2019:

CategoryTonnage CommodityGradeContained Metal
Probable 2,044 kt Gold 4.36 g/t 286 koz
Indicated 11,083 kt Gold 2.23 g/t 793 koz
Inferred 4,532 kt Gold 5.29 g/t 771 koz

Commodity Production Costs:

CommodityUnits202020192018201720162015
Cash costs Gold USD  ......  Subscription required† 926 / oz† 954 / oz† 781 / oz† 713 / oz†
Cash costs (sold) Gold USD  ......  Subscription required†
Total cash costs (sold) Gold USD  ......  Subscription required†  ......  Subscription required†
Total cash costs Gold USD 1,009 / oz† 1,020 / oz† 862 / oz† 783 / oz†
All-in sustaining costs (sold) Gold USD  ......  Subscription required†  ......  Subscription required†
All-in sustaining costs (AISC) Gold USD 1,466 / oz† 1,469 / oz† 1,189 / oz† 1,279 / oz†
† Net of By-Product.
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Operating Costs:

Units2015
Combined mining costs ($/t mined) USD 37.7
Processing costs ($/t milled) USD  ......  Subscription required
Total operating costs ($/t milled) USD  ......  Subscription required
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Financials:

Units2020201920182017201620152014
Sustaining costs M USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
Capital expenditures M USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required22  16.1   7.75   18.9   15.5  
Revenue M USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required68.5  49.6   56.4   61   63  
Operating Income M USD  ......  Subscription required
Subscription required - Subscription is required


Heavy Mobile Equipment as of June 30, 2019:
HME TypeModelSizeQuantity
Backhoe 1
Bolter ....................... Subscription required 2
Dozer (crawler) 410 HP 3
Drill (long hole) ....................... Subscription required 1
Drill (long hole) ....................... Subscription required 1
Drill (long hole) ....................... Subscription required 1
Drill jumbo (single boom) ....................... Subscription required 2
Drill jumbo (single boom) ....................... Subscription required 1
Excavator ....................... Subscription required 1.2 cu. m 1
Excavator ....................... Subscription required 2.14 cu. m 1
Excavator ....................... Subscription required 2.5 cu. m 1
Excavator ....................... Subscription required 3.5 cu. m 1
Explosives Charger 1
Grader 4.26 m blade width 1
Load-Haul-Dump (LHD) ....................... Subscription required 1
Load-Haul-Dump (LHD) ....................... Subscription required 1
Load-Haul-Dump (LHD) ....................... Subscription required 2
Load-Haul-Dump (LHD) ....................... Subscription required 2
Tire manipulator 1
Truck (fuel, lube) 1
Truck (haul) 13 cu. m 1
Truck (haul) ....................... Subscription required 14 cu. m 1
Truck (haul) 16 cu. m 1
Truck (haul) ....................... Subscription required 24 cu. m 1
Truck (haul) ....................... Subscription required 36 cu. m 1
Truck (haul) ....................... Subscription required 2
Truck (service) 1
Truck (underground) ....................... Subscription required 1
Truck (underground) ....................... Subscription required 1
Truck (water) 1
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Mine Management:

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Jun 30, 2019
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Mar 23, 2021
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Staff:

EmployeesContractorsTotal WorkforceYear
Subscription required Subscription required Subscription required 2019

Corporate Filings & Presentations:

DocumentYear
................................... Subscription required 2020
................................... Subscription required 2020
................................... Subscription required 2020
................................... Subscription required 2019
................................... Subscription required 2019
................................... Subscription required 2019
................................... Subscription required 2019
................................... Subscription required 2019
Annual Information Form 2018
Management Discussion & Analysis 2018
Annual Information Form 2017
Management Discussion & Analysis 2017
Press Release 2017
Annual Information Form 2016
Management Discussion & Analysis 2016
Annual Information Form 2015
Management Discussion & Analysis 2015
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

News:

NewsDate
Calibre Increases Mineral Reserves by Over 200% to 864,000 ounces of Gold March 29, 2021
Calibre Exceeds High End of 2020 Production Guidance With 136,009 Ounces and Beats Low End of All-in Sustaining Cost[1] Guidance at $1,043 Per Ounce February 24, 2021
Calibre Provides 2020 Resource Expansion and Infill Drilling Update; Significant Year-End 2020 Reserve Increase Expected February 23, 2021
Calibre Exceeds High-End of 2020 Production Guidance Range; 2021 Production Guidance of between 170,000 and 180,000 ounces of Gold Represents Top-Line Growth of ~30% January 12, 2021
Calibre Mining Announces Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate at Panteon Deposit June 3, 2020
Calibre Mining Announces Drilling Results From the Panteon Deposit at El Limon, including 17.77 g/t Au over 10.8 metres April 9, 2020
Calibre Commences Temporary Suspension of Operations; Withdraws 2020 Guidance and Provides Liquidity Update March 25, 2020
Calibre Mining Announces Initial Drill Results From El Limon, Including 18.65 g/t Gold Over 5.1 Metres February 4, 2020
B2Gold Announces Early Warning Report Filed Pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 November 26, 2019
Calibre Mining Reports Results from B2Gold Drilling Program at El Limon; Vein System Now Extends Over 2.5 Kilometres October 31, 2019
Calibre Mining Completes Acquisition of El Limon and La Libertad Gold Mines From B2Gold October 15, 2019
Calibre Provides Update on Transaction With B2Gold August 29, 2019
Calibre Mining Provides Update on the Transaction With B2Gold August 1, 2019
B2Gold Corp. Announces Positive Results from the Expansion Study at El Limon Mine in Nicaragua October 22, 2018
B2Gold Announces Positive Initial Open-pit Resource at the Newly-discovered El Limon Central Zone, Nicaragua February 23, 2018

Aerial view:

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