Although it was delayed due to technical problems, the Calandrias Sur heap leach project advances and Cerrado Gold expects commercial production for the second quarter.
The Canadian company released the complete results of its Minera Don Nicolás (MDN) in Santa Cruz throughout last year. The mine produced 52,230 Gold Equivalent Ounces.
Cerrado continues to make progress in accelerating its new heap leach project and aims for full production rates by the end of June. The planned acceleration was delayed due to serious startup problems, which have now been largely resolved. The slow and continued increase has delayed achieving full production forecast in the first quarter by approximately three months.
He clearing in Calandrias Norte continued during the quarter, with more than 2.4 million tons of material moved. Production levels were lower than expected during January and February and have stabilized since March, when more than 5,255 ounces of gold equivalent were produced during the month.
During the second quarter of 2024 significant improvements expected and benefits of access and limited future clearing required for the Calandrias Norte material, combined with further increase in heap leach operations. Production levels in April and May were very solid, averaging more than 6,000 gold equivalent ounces per monthsupporting continued change at MDN.
In the new heap leaching project South Calendersjobs were affected by crusher start-up problems. However, the completion of the crushing plant has already been completed, which should also allow for a more consistent feed to the heap leach pad and improve overall performance in the future. Approximately 531 ounces of gold were produced in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Production for the first quarter of 2024 exceeded 1000 ounces of gold and is expected to reach nominal production rates starting in June.
