Located in the Huaron mining district, Chungar encompasses the Islay and Animon mines. The mineralization in Islay comprises a breccia-type fissure fill, mainly with silver mineralization, with subordinated lead and zinc, Animon is a hydrothermal polymetallic deposit consisting of mineralized structures probably related to Miocene aged monzonite dykes principally within, but not confined to the Huaron anticline.

Islay is located 5 km to the West of Animón. It correlates as a western extension of the Animón veins, with the same geologic characteristics. The average width of the Islay vein is around 4.00 metres, it outcrops at surface and was exploited in small open pits. At the moment, it is being prepared for its next stage as an underground operation. Diamond-drilling has determined an average resource grade of 0.1%Cu, 1.0%Pb, 1.4%Zn and 8.7oz Ag/mt.

Animon is exploited using a combination of sub-level stoping and cut-and-fill, while Islay focuses mainly on cut-and-fill. [2019, MR, p.34]


It began with the construction of the infrastructure of the pumping system inside the mine for a total capacity of 420 l / s, which will guarantee the development of the deepening and lateral development of the mine.

The concentrate plant processed 5,500 tpd of polymetallic ore using selective differential flotation. In 2014, measures taken to increase metallurgical recovery included installation of an automatic lime dosing system, placement of a third flash cell in the lead-silver circuit and modification of the rotation speed in lead and zinc flotation cells. The flotation processes are controlled using real-time information provided by the SCADA analysis system. [2014, AR, p.58]

In 2019, the Animón plant increased its treated tonnage by 0.90% compared to the previous year. In order to improve metallurgical indices and learn about metallurgy, the decision was made to treat ore from the Animón and Islay mines in separate campaigns.

During the year, the Animón concentrator plant achieved a recovery of 92.7% in zinc, 91.4% in lead, 54.4% in copper and 80.7% in silver; compared to 2018, where recoveries were obtained in zinc of 92.3%, in lead of 91.0%, in copper of 60.1% and in ........