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PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The board of dual-listed gold miner Alacer Gold has given the go-ahead for the proposed $660-million sulphide project at its Çöpler mine, in Turkey.
A 2014 definitive feasibility study had estimated that the introduction of a whole-ore pressure oxidation (POX) circuit could extend the life of the mine and boost current resources and reserves.
The POX facility was expected to process sulphide ore at a rate of 5 000 t/d and would result in a 20-year mine life for the project.
Alacer reported on Friday that the company’s board had approved the advancement of the sulphide project into detailed engineering and procurement of long lead time items. The land use permits required to begin the project construction had also progressed through the regulatory process, and were currently awaiting final approval.
“The board’s decision to approve the advancement of the sulphide project represents a significant milestone for both the Çöpler gold mine and Alacer. We remain focused on further de-risking the sulphide project and I am confident that we have the resources and expertise in place to advance the project into the execution phase,” said Alacer president and CEO Rod Antal.
The sulphide project would bring the Çöpler mine life production to 3.9-million ounces at an all-in sustaining cost of $637/oz.
Alacer had previously flagged construction start of the sulphide project during the second quarter of 2015, with commissioning expected in late 2017.