Alumbrera Mine
Location:
Argentina, Catamarca
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Property NewsJuly 30, 2010 Goldcorp’s share of Alumbrera’s gold production for the second quarter of 2010 was 27%, or 12,500 ounces, less than the second quarter of 2009. Goldcorp’s share of Alumbrera’s copper production for the second quarter of 2010 was 14%, or 4.6 million pounds, less than in the second quarter of 2009. Gold and copper production declined due to 19% and 6% lower gold and copper grades, respectively, 5% lower tonnes milled and 4% lower gold and copper recoveries, respectively. The anticipated lower grades were due to processing of lower grade ore from the early stages of Phase 10 during the second quarter of 2010, as compared to higher grade ore from Phases 8 and 9 in the second quarter of 2009. The lower tonnes milled were due to planned and unplanned plant shutdowns during the second quarter of 2010 for repairs to the mill liners and longer than anticipated crusher maintenance. The lower recoveries were due to the lower grades and higher proportion of oxide stockpiled ore being processed. April 27, 2010 Goldcorp’s share of Alumbrera’s gold production for the first quarter of 2010 was 13%, or 5,900 ounces, less than in the first quarter of 2009. Goldcorp’s share of Alumbrera’s copper production was 15%, or 4.7 million pounds, more than in the first quarter of 2009. Gold production decreased due to 15% lower grades and 1% lower recoveries, offset by 5% higher tonnage. Copper production increased due to 6% higher grades, 4% higher recoveries and 5% higher tonnage. The higher processed tonnage was due to the improved quality of ore and lower gypsum content. The lower gold grades were principally due to processing of lower grade ore from phase 9 during the first quarter of 2010, as compared to higher grade ore from phase 8 during the first quarter of 2009. The higher copper grades were principally due to processing of higher grade ore from phase 9 during the first quarter of 2010, as compared to lower grade ore from phase 8 during the first quarter of 2009. The higher copper recoveries were the result of the installation of additional flotation circuits during 2009, an improved flotation process and higher mill feed grades. July 13, 2009 Goldcorp’s share of Alumbrera’s gold and copper production for the second quarter of 2009 was 15%, or 6,000 ounces, and 33%, or 8.0 million pounds more, respectively, than in the second quarter of 2008. Gold production increased due to 7% higher tonnage and 13% higher gold grades, offset by 5% lower gold recoveries. Copper production increased due to 7% higher tonnage, 15% higher copper grades and 9% higher copper recoveries from flotation. The increase in tonnage was as planned. The higher grades were due to higher grade ore mined.
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