Overview
Stage | Production |
Mine Type | Underground |
Commodities |
|
Mining Method |
- Blast Hole Stoping
- Open stoping
- Paste backfill
|
Processing |
|
Mine Life | 2022 |
The Kidd Mine is the world's deepest base-metal mine below sea level, mining at 9600 feet with shaft bottom at 9889 feet. |
Source:
p. 30
Summary:
Kidd Creek is a VMS Cu-Zn-Ag deposit.
Mineralisation occurs within a rhyolitic volcanic/volcaniclastic sequence as massive sulphide lenses of dominantly pyritepyrrhotite-sphalerite-galena-rich ores that are underlain by copper in chalcopyrite stringer zones.
Ore Reserves are based on the approved mining plan to 2,900m (9,600ft) depth. Mineral Resources are reported to 3,100m (10,200ft) depth. There is an ongoing exploration program that has identified mineralization continuity to 3,600m (11,700ft) depth, but there is insufficient data at this time to calculate an inferred resource. Updated reporting is anticipated in 2020.
Mining Methods
- Blast Hole Stoping
- Open stoping
- Paste backfill
Summary:
Kidd Mine located in Timmins, Ontario is the deepest base metal mining operation in the world with active mining taking place at 9,600 feet and the shaft bottom is currently at 9,889 feet, more than three kilometres deep.
Open stope blast hole mining on 20 m wide primary and secondary panels, with cable bolted stope backs, and delayed paste filling is the current mining method.
Lafarge has operated the paste plant since 2004. Over time the operational capacity has expanded resulting in increased reliability, decreased cost per tonne, and greater throughput. Lafarge’s backfill support services including processing and delivery of sand and tailings resulted in significant cost savings for the mine. Lafarge also provided a custom designed paste - TerraFlow ™ 90.
Source:
Summary:
The metallurgical facilities are located 27 km south-east of the mine site.
Ore processed at Kidd Concentrator using conventional flotation techniques The concentrator crushes and grinds the ore before flotation.
Recoveries & Grades:
Commodity | Parameter | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Zinc
|
Head Grade, %
| 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 4 | 3.6 | 3.6 |
Copper
|
Head Grade, %
| 1.8 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
Silver
|
Head Grade, g/t
| 36 | 41 | 44 | 44 | 46 | 41 |
Reserves at December 31, 2019:
Category | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade |
Proven
|
3.6 Mt
|
Zinc
|
3.5 %
|
Proven
|
3.6 Mt
|
Copper
|
2 %
|
Proven
|
3.6 Mt
|
Silver
|
52 g/t
|
Probable
|
1 Mt
|
Zinc
|
5.1 %
|
Probable
|
1 Mt
|
Copper
|
1.9 %
|
Probable
|
1 Mt
|
Silver
|
43 g/t
|
Proven & Probable
|
4.6 Mt
|
Zinc
|
3.8 %
|
Proven & Probable
|
4.6 Mt
|
Copper
|
1.9 %
|
Proven & Probable
|
4.6 Mt
|
Silver
|
50 g/t
|
Measured & Indicated
|
8.6 Mt
|
Zinc
|
4 %
|
Measured & Indicated
|
8.6 Mt
|
Copper
|
1.8 %
|
Measured & Indicated
|
8.6 Mt
|
Silver
|
48 g/t
|
Inferred
|
3.5 Mt
|
Zinc
|
7 %
|
Inferred
|
3.5 Mt
|
Copper
|
2 %
|
Inferred
|
3.5 Mt
|
Silver
|
62 g/t
|
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