Overview
Stage | Production |
Mine Type | Underground |
Commodities |
|
Mining Method |
|
Processing |
- Filter press plant
- Dewatering
- Dry Screening
- Flotation
- Magnetic separation
|
Altiplano has extracted ore at Farellon since Q1 2018. Proceeds from the sale of mineralized material are credited to exploration and evaluation properties as the Company has not yet commenced commercial production. A 5,000 tonnes/month processing facility permitted and under construction with final completion expected Q1 2022. The decision to commence production on the Farellon deposit is not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability and there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated with the production decision. |
Latest News | Altiplano Reports on Construction Progress at El Penon Processing Facility February 8, 2022 |
Source:
p. 6
Company | Interest | Ownership |
Altiplano Metals Inc.
|
100 %
|
Indirect
|
Altiplano Chile Ltda
(operator)
|
100 %
|
Direct
|
The Farellon Project is now operated by Altiplano Chile Ltda, the Chilean subsidiary of Altiplano.
Summary:
Deposit types found in the La Serena region of northern Chile include massive magnetite, Manto-Style copper-(silver), iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) deposits, and copper-gold veins potentially related to porphyry systems. These deposits are found within the early-Jurassic to mid-Cretaceous rocks, and appear to be formed through regional faulting and extension and localized structural systems. Review of the historic literature and a site visit completed by the authors determined that the primary exploration target for the Farellon project is copper-gold veins as each comprise high-grade structures with these metals.
The Farellon area lies in the contact zone between regional granodiorite and diorite bodies to the west and north respectively, as well as Cretaceous-aged formations of stratified rocks including volcaniclastic sediments, tuffs, limestones and sandstones. The proximity of the intrusive bodies produced contact metamorphism (hornfels) and metasomatism, resulting in areas of skarnification and strong silicification (Denmark, 2008).
The intrusions and subsequent movement produced a complex structural system. The dominant fractures in the stratified rocks and intrusive rocks are orientated between 50o (northeast) and 75o (east-northeast).
Secondary fracturing is mainly in an east-west orientation, with sporadic downdropping of the rocks to the south (Denmark, 2008).
While the geological map shows much of the Farellon Project area underlain by volcanic rocks at surface, much of the area is actually covered with a thin veneer of volcanic rocks. The main host rocks to the Farellon copper-gold vein structures are altered granodiorite with the vein structures on the property trending mostly 75o eastnortheast.
Copper +/- gold vein mineralization on the Farellon Property is found within discrete and laterally continuous east-northeast trending vein systems predominantly in the Cretaceous granite to granodiorite unit. There are three main veins structures that can be traced along strike for 1 to 2 km, the Farellon, Laura and Rosario veins. Mineralization within the Farellon vein structure consists of copper +/- gold, with grades of the reported historic mining averaging on the order of 2.5% Cu and 0.5 g/t Au. The Farellon area veins historically are known for their high-grade copper values.
In the Farellon area, the high temperature mineralized solutions, likely emanated from local proximal granitoid intrusive bodies resulting in fracture infill veining within both the intrusive bodies as well as the stratified rock units. The mineralization includes mainly copper (+/- gold), with mainly chalcopyrite, bornite along with significant hematite and magnetite, with minor pyrite and gangue minerals that include actinolite, quartz and apatite (Denmark, 2008). Strong epidote alteration can be seen in the wall rocks and in the veins. The hematite and magnetite content of the veins is often sufficient enough to be produced as an iron by-product by the local miners.
Summary:
Altiplano has been recovering Cu-Au mineralized material from an underground decline through a series of drifts.
Flow Sheet:
Crusher / Mill Type | Model | Size | Power | Quantity |
Ball mill
|
|
5' x 10'
|
|
2
|
Summary:
The Plant has been on recent care and maintenance and includes the following equipment: primary, secondary, and tertiary crushing, milling, two 5’ x 10’ ball mills, and a full flotation circuit. The Plant will be demobilized and moved approximately 280 kms to the Mill Site.
Processing
- Filter press plant
- Dewatering
- Dry Screening
- Flotation
- Magnetic separation
Flow Sheet:
Summary:
Plant includes two 5’ x 10’ ball mills, crushing and milling equipment and a full flotation circuit. Located 15 kms from Farellon.
Final circuit will include a de-watering system and magnetic separator. Dewatering system will reduce freshwater consumption by 75% and will reduce tailings footprint by 45%.
Magnetic Separation
The magnetic separation process uses the magnetic properties of the magnetite mineralization found within the material mined at Farellon. Magnetic iron is recovered by processing the tailings generated from the Cu flotation through a series of three magnetized drums. This process attracts and traps the magnetic mineralization within the circuit (Figure 1). The iron concentrate collected from the drums will be processed further using a disc filter to remove the water. The process will produce a concentrate expected at > 61% Fe with a moisture content of less than 15%. The full magnetic separation and dewatering process is expected to recove ........

Recoveries & Grades:
Commodity | Parameter | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Copper
|
Head Grade, %
| ......  | ......  | 1.54 |
Production:
Commodity | Units | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Copper
|
lbs
| ......  | ......  | 594,860 |
All production numbers are expressed as payable metal.
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Operational Metrics:
Metrics | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Ore tonnes mined
| ......  | 26,621 t | 30,452 t |
Tonnes processed
| ......  | 24,945 t | 18,346 t |
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Reserves at May 25, 2018:
Inferred mineral resource at a 1.0% Cu cut-off grade.
Category | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade |
Inferred
|
278,360 t
|
Copper
|
1.92 %
|
Inferred
|
278,360 t
|
Gold
|
0.12 g/t
|
Financials:
| Units | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Revenue
|
M USD
| ......  | ......  | 1.3 |
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Corporate Filings & Presentations:
Document | Year |
...................................
|
2021
|
...................................
|
2021
|
...................................
|
2020
|
...................................
|
2020
|
Technical Report
|
2018
|
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News:
Aerial view:
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