Ore enters the TZ mill in Brazil.
(Photo: GMIN)

Ore was introduced into the grinding circuit on June 10 after GMIN received the hot commissioning permit from the Pará State Environmental Agency, SEMAS. The commissioning permits allow for the mining and processing of ore, disposal of tailings as well as the selling and exporting of gold.

“Less than two years after the formal construction decision, TZ is on track to commence gold production imminently, as planned,” said Louis Gignac, president and CEO for GMIN. “This is a testament to the outstanding achievement of our team in executing our proven self-perform approach. Once at a steady state, TZ is poised to become Brazil’s third-largest primary gold mine.”

Approximately 2 million metric tons (mt) of ore have been stockpiled, with 1.5 million mt grading 0.77 g/mt gold in the low-grade stockpile, and 500,000 mt grading 1.29 g/mt gold in the high-grade stockpile. Hot commissioning activities will initially use the low-grade stockpiled ore and progressively feed higher-grade ore as production ramps up toward a planned throughput of 4.7 million mt/y, and mining progresses toward the higher- grade hard rock.