Construction on the Greenstone mine started in October 2021. (Photo: Equinox Gold)
Equinox Celebrates Official Greenstone Opening
“There are too many people to thank individually, but I specifically want to thank our local Indigenous community and the Ontario government who have worked collaboratively and supported us through this journey,” Smith said. He also thanked Orion Resource Partners, Equinox employees, and the contractors and suppliers who helped the company safely construct the mine on time and on budget.
The Greenstone mine poured first gold on May 22, 2024, after beginning construction in October 2021. The mine continues its ramp-up to commercial production, having poured approximately 2,625 ounces (oz) in May, 13,625 oz in June and 19,750 oz in July, with average throughput exceeding 60% of design capacity during August. (See Gold Recovery, p. 46.).
In related news, the Equinox Gold cycling and support team completed a remarkable 3,634-km journey from Vancouver, B.C., Canada, to the Greenstone mine to deliver a check for more than C$1.3 million ($965,000) to the Geraldton District Hospital. Equinox Gold’s Canadian team was joined by cyclists and medics from the company’s mine sites in Brazil, Mexico and California, which organized a variety of physical activities with their workforces and raised more than C$200,000 ($148,000) for charities in their local communities.
The funds raised for the Geraldton District Hospital will support vital healthcare services for a 2,767-km2 region in Northern Ontario, including five Indigenous communities and the Greenstone mine workforce.