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Brazil
Paracatu Mine

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 Location:
0 km N from Paracatu, Brazil

  Address:
Estrada do Machado, S/N Morro de Ouro
P.O. Box 163
Paracatu
Brazil
38600-000
Phone  ...  Subscription required
Fax55-38-3679-1000
WebsiteWeb
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  • Overview
  • Owners
  • Geology
  • Mining
  • Processing
  • Production
  • Reserves
  • Costs & Financials
  • Fleet
  • Personnel
  • Filings & News

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Overview

StageProduction
Mine TypeOpen Pit
Commodities
  • Gold
Mining Method
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
Processing
  • Gravity separation
  • Flotation
  • Concentrate leach
  • Carbon in leach (CIL)
  • Elution
  • Carbon adsorption-desorption-recovery (ADR)
  • Solvent Extraction & Electrowinning
  • Cyanide (reagent)
Mine Life2031
Paracatu is the largest gold mine in Brazil and one of the largest in the world.
Latest NewsKinross files new Paracatu technical report     March 10, 2020


Owners & OPERATOR

Source: p. 26
CompanyInterestOwnership
Kinross Gold Corp. 100 % Indirect
Kinross Brasil Mineração S.A. (operator) 100 % Direct
The Paracatu mine is 100% owned and operated by Kinross’ wholly-owned subsidiary Kinross Brasil Mineração S.A. (“KBM”).

Deposit Type

  • Metamorphic


Summary:

The Paracatu deposit is a metamorphic gold system with finely disseminated gold mineralization hosted within metasedimentary rocks. Very fine and evenly distributed gold is disseminated throughout a thinly bedded, highly deformed phyllite of Upper Proterozoic age. The deposit is part of a northwest-southeast lineament of gold occurrences including Cabeça Seca and Luziânia.

Gold mineralization was introduced syn-tectonically as the result of metamorphic alteration during thrusting of the Morro do Ouro Sequence over the rocks of the younger Vazante Formation. Structural interpretation suggests that mineralization was precipitated within a high strain zone where silica and carbonate were depleted from host phyllites, resulting in an increase in graphite content that may have acted as a chemical trap, precipitating out gold and sulphide mineralization remobilized during the metamorphic alteration of the Morro do Ouro Sequence.

The deposit has extraordinary lateral and longitudinal continuity. The majority of exploration efforts have sought to better define the continuous longitudinal continuity of mineralized phyllites at depth west of Rico Creek and the lateral limits of the economic mineralization.

The Paracatu mineralization is subdivided into four horizons defined by the degree of oxidation, surface weathering and sulphide mineralization. These units are, from surface, the C, T, B1 and B2 horizons. Figure 7-6 presents the conceptual pre-mining weathering surface and establishes the relative relationship between the various zones. Mining to date has exhausted the C and T horizons. The remaining mineral reserves are hosted exclusively in the B1 and B2 horizons. For this geological model, the interpreted geologic profiles combines the C, T and B1 horizons into a single unit.

Type C mineralization occurs at surface and extends to a depth of 20 m to 30 m. Type C mineralization is completely altered with no remaining sulphides. It also features localized laterite development.

The T horizon is generally only several metres thick, and marks the transition from the C horizon to the B1 horizon.

The B1 horizon is dark in colour and carbonaceous, with less oxidation than the C horizon. Sulphides have been completely oxidized but some fresh sulphide material is visible in the quartz boudins.

B2 mineralization was originally described as unweathered or fresh mineralization with primary sulphides.

The contact between unmineralized host rock (Type A – Oxide and Fresh) and the various mineralized horizons is gradational, occurring over a 10 m thick interval that is characterized by arsenic values of 200 ppm to 500 ppm and gold values of up to 0.2 g/t.

The mineralization at Paracatu is indicative of metamorphic alteration of lower and sericite make up 80% of the rock mass. Carbon occurs in the form of a fine opaque dust disseminated within the individual sericite bands. Carbon content varies from 5% to 20%. Minor amounts of ilmenite, tourmaline, anatase, rutile and limonite are also commonly observed.

Petrography indicates that 60% to 90% of unoxidized phyllites were composed of variable amounts of quartz and sericite to produce a distinctive banding. Individual bands are typically less than two centimetres thick. The phyllites also contain up to 20% carbonate (calcite and ankerite). Fine grained carbon was also observed in the less weathered samples. Accessory minerals included muscovite, biotite, albite, tourmaline, ilmenite, chlorite, zircon and rutile.

The amount of sulphides present does not typically exceed 3% to 4%. The most common sulphides observed are arsenopyrite, pyrite and pyrrhotite. Galena is relatively common and may be accompanied by sphalerite. Chalcopyrite occurs locally in fractures within the main sulphide minerals listed above. The sulphides typically occur as individual crystals or coarse crystalline aggregates. Arsenopyrite is the most common sulphide and occurs as a fine grained (<1 mm) to coarse grained (>3 mm) aggregates. Crystals up to one centimetre in size are not uncommon. Arsenopyrite crystals increase in size to the southwest.

The mineralization at Paracatu exhibits distinct mineralogical zoning with the arsenopyrite content increasing towards the center and west and in the zones of intense deformation. Gold grade increases with increasing arsenopyrite content.

Pyrrhotite occurs in the western part of the deposit and gold grades are elevated where pyrrhotite increases. There is evidence for a pyrrhotite-rich deposit at depth, which has been intersected in a number of drill holes.

The deposit formation model proposed for Paracatu suggests that gold and arsenopyrite were introduced concurrently during the deformation event.

The quartz boudins typically observed in the higher grade portions of the Paracatu deposit represent original, attenuated quartz veins. The boudins crosscut bedding at a shallow angle. The boudin thickness likely represents the original thickness of the quartz veins, which have been stretched considerably, implying moderately high to very high strain in the system (Holcombe, 2005). The boudin formation has been interpreted as a two-stage process. First, quartz veins are emplaced early in the deformation event. As stress builds, these veins are folded, boudinaged and separated. Mineralized boudins are parallel to foliation. A final barren quartz stockwork phase cross cuts foliation in the low grade hanging wall.

Gold occurs either as free gold or electrum. Microscopic analysis indicates that 92% of the gold at Paracatu is free-milling with less than 8% encapsulated by sulphide grains or silica.


Mining Methods

  • Truck & Shovel / Loader


Summary:

The Paracatu operation consists of an open pit mine, two process plants, two tailings facilities, and related surface infrastructure and support buildings.

At Paracatu, ore hardness increases with depth and, as a result, modelling the hardness of the Paracatu deposit is important for costing and process throughput parameters. Kinross modeled ore hardness based on Bond Work Index (BWI) analyses from diamond drill samples. KBM estimated that blasting of the Paracatu ore would be necessary for blocks with a BWI greater than 8.5 kWh/t.

As mining progresses to the southwest area of the pit, it is necessary to increase hauling capacity because of waste stripping. Currently the truck fleet consist of 25 CAT 793 and the life of mine peak is 35 trucks in 2024.


Crushing and Grinding


Processing

  • Gravity separation
  • Flotation
  • Concentrate leach
  • Carbon in leach (CIL)
  • Elution
  • Carbon adsorption-desorption-recovery (ADR)
  • Solvent Extraction & Electrowinning
  • Cyanide (reagent)

Flow Sheet: Subscription required

Summary:

Paracatu has two mineral processing plants known as Plant I and Plant II with extraction of gold using gravity/ flotation/ carbon-in-leach (CIL) recovery processes.

Plant I treats the softer near-surface B1 ore at a design throughput of 20 Mt/a, while Plant II treats the harder B2 ore at a design throughput of 41 Mt/a.

In Plant I, ore is crushed through two stages and ground in ball mills prior to gold recovery by jigs and flotation. The concentrate is treated by gravimetric methods first and the coarser gold is recovered. The flotation and gravity concentrate is then leached with cyanide in a carbon-in-leach (CIL) circuit, followed by carbon elution and electrowinning to recover gold which is then smelted to form gold bars.

Currently, Plant II consists of an in-pit MMD crusher, a 1.8 km conveyor to a covered stockpile area, an 11.6 m diameter SAG mill, and four ball mills. The ore recovery process uses gravity flotation to produce concentrate which is ........

Recoveries & Grades:

CommodityParameter2019201820172016201520142013
Gold Equivalent Recovery Rate, %  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
Gold Equivalent Head Grade, g/t 0.40.390.410.450.440.410.38
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Production:

CommodityUnits201920182017201620152014
Gold Equivalent oz  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required359,959483,014477,662521,026
All production numbers are expressed as metal in doré.
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Operational Metrics:

Metrics201920182017201620152014
Ore tonnes mined  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required47,206 kt47,750 kt53,584 kt
Tonnes processed  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required46,816 kt45,277 kt51,397 kt
Plant annual capacity  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required61 Mt
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Reserves at December 31, 2019:

CategoryTonnage CommodityGradeContained Metal
Proven 549,669 kt Gold 0.4 g/t 7,705 koz
Probable 28,354 kt Gold 0.4 g/t 355 koz
Proven & Probable 578,023 kt Gold 0.4 g/t 8,060 koz
Measured 181,341 kt Gold 0.3 g/t 2,001 koz
Indicated 163,562 kt Gold 0.4 g/t 2,072 koz
Measured & Indicated 344,903 kt Gold 0.4 g/t 4,073 koz
Inferred 47,267 kt Gold 0.2 g/t 368 koz

Commodity Production Costs:

CommodityUnits2019201820172016201520142013
Cash costs (sold) Gold Equivalent USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required 871 / oz 717 / oz 772 / oz 816 / oz 836 / oz
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Financials:

Units2019201820172016201520142013
Capital expenditures M USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required 112.7   112.6   150.1  
Revenue M USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required 559.8   644.3   710.1  
Gross profit M USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required 34.7   71.8   109.5  
Operating Income M USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required 24.4   69.3   106.6  
Subscription required - Subscription is required


Heavy Mobile Equipment as of March 10, 2020:
HME TypeModelQuantityStatus
Dozer ....................... Subscription required 2 Existing
Dozer ....................... Subscription required 7 Existing
Drill ....................... Subscription required 3 Existing
Drill ....................... Subscription required 1 Existing
Drill ....................... Subscription required 1 Existing
Drill ....................... Subscription required 3 Existing
Loader ....................... Subscription required 2 Existing
Loader ....................... Subscription required 1 Existing
Loader ....................... Subscription required 4 Existing
Shovel ....................... Subscription required 2 Existing
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required 10 Proposed
Truck (haul) ....................... Subscription required 25 Existing
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Mine Management:

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Mar 9, 2020
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Mar 9, 2020
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Staff:

Total WorkforceYear
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 2018
................................... Subscription required 2018
................................... Subscription required 2018
................................... Subscription required 2018
................................... Subscription required 2018
Annual Information Form 2017
Financial Review 2017
Management Discussion & Analysis 2017
Press Release 2017
Year-end Mineral Reserves 2017
Annual Information Form 2016
Annual Report 2016
Press Release 2016
Other 2015
Press Release 2015
Annual Report 2014
Technical Report 2014
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

News:

NewsDate
Kinross files new Paracatu technical report March 10, 2020

Aerial view:

Subscription required - Subscription is required.

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