Serra Grande Gold Mine Explained

Serra Grande
Pushpin Map:Brazil
Pushpin Label:Serra Grande Gold Mine
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Brazil
Place:Crixás
Subdivision Type:State
State/Province:Goiás
Country:Brazil
Owner:AngloGold Ashanti (50% - Operator)
Kinross Gold Corporation (50%)
Official Website:AngloGold Ashanti website
Kinross Gold website
Stock Exchange:JSE
TSX
Stock Code:ANG
K -->
Financial Year:2009
Amount:154,000
Opening Year:1987

The Serra Grande Gold Mine is a gold mine located 5 km from Crixás, in the Goiás state of Brazil. The mine is jointly owned by AngloGold Ashanti and Kinross Gold Corporation, who share equal partnership. AngloGold Ashanti operates the mine, but revenue from the operation is evenly distributed between the two companies.

In 2008, the Brazilian operations, including the Serra Grande Gold Mine, contributed 8% to AngloGold Ashanti's overall gold production. This mine is one of two operations by AngloGold Ashanti in Brazil, with the other being the Brasil Mineração Gold Mine.[1]

History

Exploration work at the Serra Grande mine began in 1973, with detailed mapping and diamond drilling conducted until 1976. However, actual mining operations did not start until 1987.[2]

In January 2003, Kinross Gold acquired a fifty percent stake in the Serra Grande mine through a merger with TVX.

Serra Grande currently comprises three underground mines: Mina III, Mina Nova, and Palmeiras, with Palmeiras being the most recent development. Additionally, there is an open pit located above Mina III.

The mine recorded one fatality in 2008 but has been fatality free in 2009.

Production

Recent production figures of the mine were:

YearProduction (ounces)GradeCost per ounce
2003 [3] 190,0007.88 g/tUS$ 109
2004 188,0007.80 g/tUS$ 134
2005 192,0007.93 g/tUS$ 158
2006 [4] 194,0007.51 g/tUS$ 198
2007 [5] 182,0007.21 g/tUS$ 263
2008 174,0007.58 g/tUS$ 294
2009 154,0004.72 g/tUS$ 406
2010

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.anglogold.com/NR/rdonlyres/7013DFE4-A537-4D09-9781-4043DBD43C0D/0/Brazil2008.pdf AngloGold Ashanti: Country report Brazil
  2. http://www.kinross.com/operations/operation-crixas-brazil-.aspx Crixás, Brazil
  3. http://www.anglogoldashanti.co.za/subwebs/InformationForInvestors/AnnualReport05/report/pdf/ar_report_2005.pdf Annual Report 2005
  4. http://www.anglogold.com/NR/rdonlyres/5F4B53A4-2DE4-43EC-87AB-BDB13F5C8C1F/0/ar_report_2006.pdf Annual Report 2006
  5. http://www.anglogoldashanti.com/subwebs/InformationForInvestors/Reports09/AnnualReport09/f/AGA_AR09.pdf Annual Report 2009