Maricunga Gold Mine

Maricunga Gold Mine
Maricunga
Location of Maricunga
Location Maricunga mining district
Region Atacama
Country Chile
Owner
Company Kinross Gold
Website kinross.com
Year of acquisition 1998 (50%)
2007 (100%)
TSX
NYSE
K
KGC
Production
Financial year 2010
Ounces of Gold 156,590[1]
History
Opened 2005
Active 2005-present

Maricunga Gold Mine is an open pit gold mine in Chile. It is owned and operated by Toronto-based Kinross Gold.

Geology

The Maricunga Gold Mine is located within the Maricunga Gold Belt of Chile.[2] Poyrphyry gold mineralization occurs in the early Miocene (dated to 22 to 24 million years ago) Maricunga volcanic-intrusive complex.[2]

Description

In 1998 Kinross began operating the mine following a merger with Amax Gold (which changed its name to Kinam[3] ), which held a 50% stake in the property, with the remainder coming with the 2007 purchase of Bema Gold Corporation. [1] In 2010 Kinross announced completion of a feasibility study for a $290 million expansion project to the Maricunga mine, which would increase production by 10 million tons, and 90,000 ounces per year. The expansion includes additions to their mobile equipment fleet, additional crushers and a 3 km (1.9 mi) long conveyor.[4]

References