Overview -
La Coipa is an open pit gold and silver mine located in northern Chile producing gold and silver as co-products. When it opened in 1991, La Coipa was one of the first large-scale precious metals mining operations in Chile.
The La Coipa mine consists of approximately 7,500 hectares of mineral claims, of which the principal ones are Indagua, Marta, Escondida, Candelaria, Eduardo, and Chimberos.
Commercial production began at La Coipa in 1991. Mining in the Coipa Norte ore body occurred in five stages between 1995 and 2007.
Mining of Stage 2 in Farellon Bajo was completed in 1994. Ore from the Chimberos silver ore body was processed from 1998 to 1999. In 1999 production from La Coipa recommenced, mainly from the Coipa Norte ore body. Mining of the Brecha Norte ore body, Stage 1, started in 2003 and Stage 2 will be finished by 2005.
The La Coipa mine currently (2008) operates three open pits: Ladera Ferellon, Coipa Norte and Puren. The Can Can deposit is scheduled to be mined later in the mine life.
The mine employs 460 people and it is scheduled to cease production in 2011 if additional reserves are not found; however, Kinross believes that there is potential for additional reserves and resources to be discovered near the present mine site (Dec/07).
La Coipa is owned and operated by Compaņia Minera Mantos de Oro (MDO),
a Chilean company which is 100% owned by Kinross.
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