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Canada
LaRonde Mine (LaRonde Zone 5)

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 Location:
44 km W from Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, Canada

  Address:
10 200, route de Preissac
Rouyn-Noranda
Quebec, Canada
J0Y 1C0
Phone+1-819-759-3644
Fax+1-819-759-3663
WebsiteWeb
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  • Geology
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  • Costs & Financials
  • Personnel
  • Filings & News

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Overview

StageProduction
Mine TypeUnderground
Commodities
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Copper
  • Zinc
Mining Method
  • Transverse open stoping
  • Longitudinal retreat
  • Cemented backfill
  • Paste backfill
Shaft Depth 2,250 m
Processing
  • Filter press plant
  • Electric furnace
  • Flotation
  • Agitated tank (VAT) leaching
  • Carbon in pulp (CIP)
  • Elution
  • Carbon adsorption
  • Solvent Extraction & Electrowinning
  • Cyanide (reagent)
Mine Life2030
The LaRonde mine is part of the LaRonde Complex.

The LaRonde mine includes underground operations at the LaRonde, Bousquet, El Coco and Terrex properties that can all be accessed from the Penna Shaft, a mill, a treatment plant, a secondary crusher building and related facilities.


Owners

Source: p. 30, 37
CompanyInterestOwnership
Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. (operator) 100 % Direct

Deposit Type

  • VMS

Source: Source p.43-44

Summary:

The LaRonde property is located near the southern boundary of the Archean-age (2.7 billion years old) Abitibi Subprovince and the Pontiac Subprovince within the Superior Geological Province of the Canadian Shield. The most important regional structure is the Cadillac-Larder Lake fault zone, marking the contact between the Abitibi and Pontiac Subprovinces, located approximately two kilometres to the south of the LaRonde property.

The geology that underlies the LaRonde mine consists of three east-west-trending, steeply south-dipping and generally south-facing regional groups of rock formations. From north to south, they are: (i) 400 metres (approximate true thickness) of the Kewagama Group, which is made up of a thick band of interbedded wacke; (ii) 1,500 metres of the Blake River Group, a volcanic assemblage that hosts all the known economic mineralization on the property; and (iii) 500 metres of the Cadillac Group, made up of a thick band of wacke interbedded with pelitic schist and minor iron formation.

Zones of strong sericite and chlorite alteration that enclose massive to disseminated sulphide mineralization (including the ore that is mined for gold, silver, zinc and copper at the LaRonde mine) follow steeply dipping, east-west-trending, anastomosing shear zone structures within the Blake River Group volcanic units across the property. These shear zones are part of the larger Doyon-Dumagami Structural Zone that hosts several important gold occurrences (including the Doyon gold mine, the Westwood mine and the former Bousquet mines) and has been traced for over ten kilometres within the Blake River Group, from the LaRonde mine westward to the Mouska gold mine.

Mineralization
The LaRonde deposit is a gold-rich volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit. LaRonde lenses were formed mainly by sulphide precipitation from hydrothermal fluids on the seafloor and by replacement below lenses. The stacking of the LaRonde lenses is the result of successive volcanic events, intercalated by cycles of hydrothermal activity associated with reactivation of synvolcanic faults.

The gold-bearing zones at the LaRonde mine are lenses of disseminated stringers through to massive aggregates of coarse pyrite with zinc, copper and silver content. Ten zones that vary in size from 50,000 to 40 million tonnes have been identified, of which four are (or are believed to be) economic. Gold content is not proportional to the total sulphide content but does increase with copper content. Gold values are also higher in areas where the pyrite lenses are crosscut by tightly spaced north-south fractures.

These historical relationships, which were noted at LaRonde Shaft #1's Main Zone, are maintained at the Penna Shaft zones. The zinc-silver (i.e., Zone 20 North) mineralization with lower gold values, common in the upper mine, grades into gold-copper mineralization within the lower mine. The predominant base metal sulphides within the LaRonde mine are chalcopyrite (copper) and sphalerite (zinc).

The Company believes that Zone 20 North is one of the largest gold bearing massive sulphide mineralized zones in the world and one of the largest known mineralized zones in the Abitibi region of Ontario and Quebec. Zone 20 North contains the majority of the mineral reserves and mineral resources at the LaRonde mine, including 13.9 million tonnes of proven and probable mineral reserves grading 6.36 g/t gold, representing 92% of the total proven and probable mineral reserves at the LaRonde mine, 3.5 million tonnes of indicated mineral resources grading 3.58 g/t gold, representing 70% of the total measured and indicated mineral resources at the LaRonde mine, and 3.7 million tonnes of inferred mineral resources grading 5.86 g/t gold, representing 58% of the total inferred mineral resources at the LaRonde mine.

Zone 20 North extends from 700 metres below surface to at least 3,700 metres below surface, and remains open at depth. With increased access on the lower levels of the mine (i.e., below Level 245 and from the internal shaft on levels 257 and 278), the transformation from a zinc/silver orebody to a gold/copper deposit was effectively completed in 2017. The development of the West mine area, between Levels 278 and 314, provided access to a new zinc/silver rich sector beginning at the end of 2017.

Zone 20 North can be divided into an upper zinc/silver enriched gold poor zone and a lower gold/copper enriched zone. The zinc/silver zone has been traced over a vertical distance of 1,700 metres and a horizontal distance of 570 metres, with thicknesses approaching 40 metres. The gold/copper zone has been traced over a vertical distance of over 2,200 metres and a horizontal distance of 900 metres, with thicknesses varying from three to 40 metres. The zinc/silver zone consists of massive zinc/silver mineralization containing 50% to 90% massive pyrite and 10% to 50% massive light brown sphalerite. The gold/copper zone mineralization consists of 30% to 70% finely disseminated to massive pyrite containing 1% to 10% chalcopyrite veinlets, minor disseminated sphalerite and rare specks of visible gold. Gold grades are generally related to the chalcopyrite or copper content. At depth, the massive sulphide lens becomes richer in gold and copper.


Mining Methods

  • Transverse open stoping
  • Longitudinal retreat
  • Cemented backfill
  • Paste backfill

Source:

Summary:

Access to LaRonde’s underground mining operation is through the 2,250-metre-deep Penna Shaft, which was completed in March 2000 and remains the deepest single-lift shaft in the Western Hemisphere. The internal Shaft No.4 extends 823 m to 2,858 m depth to provide access to even deeper ore at the lower part of the orebody, and has been at the centre of the LaRonde mine extension project initiated in 2006.

Two mining methods are used at LaRonde: longitudinal retreat with cemented paste backfill; and transverse open stoping with paste or unconsolidated backfill. In addition, to address concerns regarding the frequency and intensity of seismic events encountered at the lower levels of the LaRonde mine, a hybrid of these two methods has been used.

The risk of more frequent and larger seismic events has increased as the Company mines deeper at LaRonde. Over the years, the Company has continued to adapt and manage the risk. The Company continues to adjust the mining methods, ground support and protocols to address seismic activity in the deeper portions of the mine.

Below approximately 2.8 km depth, the LaRonde mine divides into two parallel lobes called the East mine and the slightly offset West mine. The West mine area contributed approximately 19% of the tonnage mined at the LaRonde Complex in 2020. In 2021, the West mine area is expected to contribute approximately 15% of the ore mined and 21% of the gold produced at the LaRonde Complex.

The good performance at the LaRonde mine is partially a result of the automation strategy that has helped to improve productivity and allow continuation of mucking activities during non-entry protocols related to seismicity. In 2020, 13% of tonnes mucked from stopes at the LaRonde mine were done in automation mode. In December 2020, a record 39% of the production mucking at the LaRonde mine was done using automated methods, which included 100% of the production mucking from the West mine area.

The LaRonde Complex automation team will continue optimizing the automated mining techniques, and work is ongoing to perform production drilling using automation.

Infrastructure continues to be developed to provide further access to mine LaRonde 3 (below level 311 at the LaRonde mine, or below 3,100 m depth).

At Zone LR11-3 (which is at the past producing Bousquet 2 mine), development from level 146 of the LaRonde mine continues on schedule and dewatering of the previously mined area is ongoing. The zone is expected to be reached in the second half of 2021 and production activities are expected to begin in 2022.


Crushing and Grinding
Flow Sheet: Source
Source: Source
Crusher / Mill TypeModelSizePowerQuantity
SAG mill 24' x 13.5' 1
Ball mill 16.6' x 28' 1


Processing

  • Filter press plant
  • Electric furnace
  • Flotation
  • Agitated tank (VAT) leaching
  • Carbon in pulp (CIP)
  • Elution
  • Carbon adsorption
  • Solvent Extraction & Electrowinning
  • Cyanide (reagent)

Flow Sheet: Source
Source: Source

Summary:

Surface facilities at the LaRonde mine include a processing plant with a daily capacity of 7,000 tonnes of ore, which has been expanded four times since 1987 from the original rate of 1,630 tonnes per day. Beginning in 1999, transition to the LaRonde mine's polymetallic massive sulphide orebody required several modifications to the processing plant. In 2008, the installation of a limited copper/lead separation flotation circuit, following the copper flotation circuit, was completed. Also in 2008, a cyanidation plant began operation for the treatment of sulphide concentrate from the Goldex mine. A CIL circuit was completed and began operation in April 2013 to replace the existing LaRonde precious metal Merrill-Crowe circuit. The LaRonde mine is also the site for the Lapa mine ore processing plant (2,000 tonnes per day), which was commissioned in the second quarter of 2009 and is now used to process ore from the LaRonde Zone 5 mine

The ore from the LaRonde mine requires a series of grinding, copper/lead flotation, zinc flotation and zinc tails precious metals leaching circuits, now followed by CIP recovery. A copper flotation circuit is utilized to improve total gold recovery. Based on laboratory tests and processing experience, increased gold recovery is obtained with the combination of copper flotation and leaching. Zinc flotation is operated periodically based on the zinc feed grade and the anticipated net smelter revenue.

The processing plant produces doré bars containing gold and silver, as well as zinc and copper concentrates that carry valuable gold and silver credits.

The Goldex concentrate circuit consists of pulp received from the Goldex mill via truck. The material is sent to the LaRonde leaching/CIP circuit for gold recovery along with LaRonde residual pulp.

Paste backfill and cyanide destruction plants operate intermittently based on underground requirements. A second paste backfill plant was commissioned in 2018 to feed the LaRonde Zone 5 mine. The tailings area has a dedicated cyanide destruction and metals precipitation plant that water passes through prior to recirculating to the mill. A biological water treatment plant addresses the presence of thiocyanate in the tailings ponds at the LaRonde mine. The plant uses bacteria to oxidize and destroy thiocyanate in the water and removes phosphate prior to its release to the environment.

Recoveries & Grades:

CommodityParameter2020201920182017201620152014
Gold Head Grade, g/t 5.535.465.325.054.443.913.24
Silver Recovery Rate, % 85.586.487.688.385.484.387.2
Silver Head Grade, g/t 16.218.219.621.817.816.524.8
Copper Recovery Rate, % 8484.686.886.686.58682.8
Copper Head Grade, % 0.220.210.240.240.240.270.3
Copper Concentrate Grade, % 19.41919.219.32020.719.9
Zinc Recovery Rate, % 75.887.180.674.566.959.381.3
Zinc Head Grade, % 0.570.890.580.460.370.310.73
Zinc Concentrate Grade, % 53.854.154.954.753.651.953.5
Gold Recovery Rate, % 9595.495.695.695.194.4

Production:

CommodityProductUnits2020201920182017201620152014
Gold Payable metal oz 288,239343,154343,686348,870305,788267,921204,652
Silver Payable metal koz 6728831,0401,2549889161,274
Copper Payable metal t 3,0693,3974,1934,5014,6874,9424,996
Copper Concentrate kt 171925232526
Zinc Payable metal t 6,25913,1617,8646,5104,4163,50110,514
Zinc Concentrate kt 142914107.923

Operational Metrics:

Metrics202020192018201720162015
Tonnes milled 1,706,446 t2,057,187 t2,108,068 t2,253,823 t2,240,144 t2,241,424 t
Daily milling rate 4,698 t5,636 t5,775 t6,153 t6,121 t6,141 t
Daily milling capacity 7,000 t7,000 t7,000 t7,200 t7,200 t7,200 t
Daily ore mining rate 5,775 t6,185 t6,171 t6,141 t

Reserves at December 31, 2020:
The 2020 proven and probable mineral reserve estimates set out in the table below are based on a net smelter return cut off value of the ore of C$127 to C$153 per tonne. There are no mineral reserves from open pit deposits. The 2020 proven and probable mineral reserves were estimated using assumed metallurgical recoveries of 95.22% for gold, 75.35% for silver, 68.99% for zinc and 77.80% for copper.

Gold cut-off grades used for mineral resource estimates were fixed at 75% of the applicable mineral reserve cut-off grade.

CategoryTonnage CommodityGradeContained Metal
Proven & Probable 15,166 kt Gold 6.12 g/t 2,984 koz
Proven & Probable 15,166 kt Silver 17.89 g/t 8,722 koz
Proven & Probable 15,166 kt Copper 0.26 % 39,117 t
Proven & Probable 15,166 kt Zinc 0.76 % 115,454 t
Measured & Indicated 4,904 kt Gold 3.55 g/t 560 koz
Measured & Indicated 4,904 kt Silver 21.39 g/t 3,372 koz
Measured & Indicated 4,904 kt Copper 0.13 % 6,371 t
Measured & Indicated 4,904 kt Zinc 0.81 % 39,560 t
Inferred 6,369 kt Gold 4.54 g/t 931 koz
Inferred 6,369 kt Silver 23.98 g/t 4,911 koz
Inferred 6,369 kt Copper 0.27 % 17,352 t
Inferred 6,369 kt Zinc 1.96 % 124,660 t

Commodity Production Costs:

CommodityUnits202020192018201720162015
Credits (by-product) Gold USD -177 / oz -196 / oz -189 / oz -201 / oz -167 / oz -170 / oz
Cash costs Gold USD 589 / oz 664 / oz 532 / oz 587 / oz 643 / oz
Total cash costs Gold USD 643 / oz 660 / oz 634 / oz 607 / oz 668 / oz 760 / oz
Total cash costs Gold USD 466 / oz† 464 / oz† 445 / oz† 406 / oz† 501 / oz† 590 / oz†
† Net of By-Product.

Operating Costs:

Units2020201920182017201620152014
Total operating costs ($/t milled) CAD 1271251191081069999

Financials:

Units202020192018201720162015
Sustaining costs M USD 72.2  66.2   67.1   64.3  
Capital expenditures M USD 92.2  77.5   89.7   64.3   67.3  
Revenue M USD 543.9  552.2  516.7   484.5   388.2   318.2  
Gross profit M USD 299.1  253.5  194   216   123.4   65.6  


Heavy Mobile Equipment:

Mine Management:

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
General Manager Christian Goulet LinkedIn Jun 25, 2021
Health & Safety Superintendent Claude Jutras LinkedIn Jun 25, 2021
Maintenance Planner François Lord LinkedIn Jun 25, 2021
Maintenance Superintendent Christian Quirion LinkedIn Jun 25, 2021

Staff:

EmployeesTotal WorkforceYear
959 1,465 2020
936 1,406 2019
936 1,415 2018
833 1,287 2017
819 1,203 2016
842 1,090 2015
841 1,042 2014

Corporate Filings & Presentations:

DocumentYear
Form 40-F 2020
Sustainability Report 2020
Year-end Mineral Reserves 2020
Form 40-F 2019
Other 2019
Press Release 2019
Sustainability Report 2019
Annual Information Form 2018
Annual Report 2018
Sustainability Report 2018
Year-end Mineral Reserves 2018
Annual Information Form 2017
Annual Report 2017
Quarterly Report 2017
Sustainability Report 2017
Annual Report 2016
Form 40-F 2016
Sustainability Report 2016
Annual Report 2015
Annual Report 2015
Form 40-F 2015
Sustainability Report 2015
Year-end Mineral Reserves 2015
Annual Report 2014
Form 40-F 2014
Sustainability Report 2014
Form 40-F 2013
Form 20-F 2012

Aerial view:

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