Ciénega (incl. San Ramón satellite)
Ciénega has long been classified a gold mine, with more recent years becoming a strong secondary profile in silver.
| Ownership: |
100% Fresnillo plc |
| Location: |
Durango |
| Commodity: |
Gold, Silver |
| Operational since: |
1992 |
| Facilities: |
Underground mine, flotation and leaching plant |
| Workforce: |
513 employees, 544 contractors |
| Milling Capacity: |
4,000 tpd / 1,340,000 tpy |
| Mine Life: |
6.8 years (2017: 6.9) |
Quarterly Production
| |
1Q19
|
1Q18
|
% change
|
4Q18
|
|
Ore processed (t)
|
320,990
|
320,006
|
0.3
|
340,529
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Production
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold (oz)
|
14,681
|
16,377
|
-10.4
|
15,588
|
|
Silver (koz)
|
1,463
|
1,239
|
18.1
|
1,703
|
|
Lead (t)
|
981
|
1,335
|
-26.5
|
1,007
|
|
Zinc (t)
|
1,712
|
1,006
|
70.2
|
1,767
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Ore grades
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold (g/t)
|
1.53
|
1.66
|
-7.7
|
1.49
|
|
Silver (g/t)
|
165
|
141
|
16.7
|
180
|
|
Lead %
|
0.49
|
0.67
|
-27.4
|
0.48
|
|
Zinc %
|
0.89
|
0.72
|
23.1
|
0.87
|
History
1992
Construction commenced
1995
First full year of production, with 300,000 tpy capacity
Production
Gold
(oz)
66,869
(FY18)
% (7.1) Change
Silver
(koz)
5,999
(FY18)
% 11.2 Change
Lead
(t)
4,799
(FY18)
% (24.2) Change
Zinc
(t)
5,892
(FY18)
% (16.4) Change
Financial Highlights
Adjusted Revenue
(US$m, FY18)
187.1
% (5.6) Change
Segment Profit
(US$m, FY18)
79.2
% (18.4) Change
Captial Expenditure
(US$m, FY18)
72.9
% 56.8 Change
Exploration
(US$m, FY18)
22.9
% 38.8 Change
Highlights - 1Q19
-
First quarter gold production decreased 10.4% vs. 1Q18 due to the lower gold ore grade resulting from the depletion of the higher ore grade areas, and to a lesser extent, a lower recovery rate.
-
Quarterly gold production decreased 5.8% vs 4Q18 mainly due to a lower volume of ore processed resulting from one-off excess efficiency gains in the maintenance programme seen in the previous quarter, which further reduced downtime and resulted in two additional days of production.
-
Quarterly silver production increased 18.1% vs. 1Q18 resulting from a higher ore grade as a result of the access to higher silver ore grade areas, particularly at Taspana and Rosario. When compared to the previous quarter, silver production decreased 14.1% driven by an expected lower ore grade and lower volume of ore processed.
-
Expected gold ore grade (2019) remains in range of 1.60-1.70 g/t; silver ore grade anticipated to be between 150-160 g/t.
-
Quarterly by-product lead production decreased 26.5% vs. 1Q18 as a result of a lower ore grade. Compared to 4Q18, by-product lead production decreased 2.6% due to a lower volume of ore processed, mitigated by a higher recovery rate.
-
By-product zinc production increased 70.2% vs. 1Q18 due to a higher ore grade and recovery rate. Compared to the previous quarter, by-product zinc production decreased 3.1% driven by a lower volume of ore processed.
2018 - Summary
-
Contribution from the Taspana satellite mine increased from 15,000 to 30,000 tonnes per month while exploration continued, and the access ramp reached 1,473 metres
-
Construction of the third tailings dam, a downstream structure, continued, and is expected to be concluded in early 2019, in combination with the conclusion of the installation of a high compact thickener to optimise water consumption
-
Concluded a PEA for a 2,000 tpd expansion of the beneficiation plant at Ciénega – further evaluation required
-
One contractor company hired to develop new areas during the year
Performance Targets - 2019
- Conduct an updated economic assessment for the expansion of the beneficiation plant at the Ciénega plant
- Intensify exploration at the Rosario Transversal fault and commence exploration to the west of the San Ramón vein
- Conclude the construction of the third tailings dam
- Secure permits and begin engineering for the fourth tailings dam
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