Fortuna Silver Mines confirmed that in October it will inaugurate the Lindero project, a new gold mine in Argentina. This efficient approach is common in modern mining, as it maximizes metal recovery. Despite the obstacles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company assured that the progress of the works is on schedule.
Fortuna Silver Mines considers Lindero a strategic investment for Argentina, where there is a goal to revitalize the economy through mining development. Located in the Argentine puna, at an altitude of 3,500 meters and 260 kilometers west of Salta, Lindero is an open-pit mine with an estimated lifespan of 13 years. Proven and probable reserves reach 84.2 million tons, with an average of 0.63 grams of gold per ton, translating to over 1.1 million ounces of gold.
Fortuna Silver Mines, which also has operations in Peru and Mexico, began the irrigation and leaching of ore on its platform at Lindero. The ore comes from reserves of around one million tons, with an average grade of 0.55 grams of gold per ton. The mine is expected to produce metal bars as the final product.
The Lindero project includes essential infrastructure for the extraction and processing of ore. The mine has a leaching valley, where ore is treated through chemical processes that allow the separation of gold from the rock material.