Mining Magazine > Panorama > Peñasquito completes new process line

Panorama

Goldcorp has announced that the second sulphide processing line (Line 2) at Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas, Mexico has achieved mechanical completion ahead of its previously expected third quarter completion date.  

Line 2 is now in the commissioning phase and ramping up toward designed 50,000t/d capacity. Line 1 is already operating at designed daily throughput of 50,000t and construction of the 30,000t/d high pressure grinding roll circuit (HPGR) is on track for completion in fourth quarter. Most of the components for the new circuit are now on site. Full production ramp-up to the designed 130,000t/d capacity remains on track for early 2011.
 
“The Peñasquito project team has achieved every critical milestone throughout the mine’s three year construction period, and the completion of Line 2 ahead of schedule is the latest example of the impressive pace of development there,” says Chuck Jeannes, Goldcorp’s president and CEO. “Mining rates have continued in excess of 500,000t/d and concentrate grades and quality remain well within expectations.”

In the first days of commissioning and ramp-up of Line 2, combined process plant throughput has already reached in excess of 86,400t/d. Line 2 alone has reached peak daily throughput of over 52,000t. The company remains on track for third quarter commercial production.

Over its mine life, Peñasquito is expected to produce an annual average of 500,000oz of gold, 28Moz of silver, 450Mlbs of zinc, and 200Mlbs of lead after reaching full design capacity. For 2010, Peñasquito remains on track toward previously issued guidance of 180,000oz of gold as the proportion of higher quality sulphide ore increases.