Chapada is an open-pit copper and gold mine in Brazil. Located in northern Goiãs State northwest of the national capital of Brasília, Chapada is a comparatively predictable and consistent mine.
Project History
Yamana acquired Chapada in July 2003. In February 2004, Yamana completed an updated technical report for Chapada. A final feasibility study was completed in June 2004 and a construction decision was announced at that time. The project was completed by October 2006 and commercial production was declared in February 2007.
Type of Operation
Shallow open-pit
Mine Highlights
- Chapada is Yamana’s original flagship operation.
- The mine and processing facilities were constructed by Yamana in less than two years.
- With a remaining mine life of more than 15 years, Chapada is expected to produce at least 1.7 million ounces of recoverable gold and 2.0 billion pounds of recoverable copper.
2008 Overview
- Increased mine productivity as a result of crushing production improvements, tailings pipeline replacement and realignment and a new water collection facility.
- Delivered an updated feasibility level study for the expansion to 20 million tonnes per year showing that throughput expansions can be achieved with very high returns.
- Completed a sulphuric acid study followed by a marketing study indicating that in addition to more gold and copper, sulphuric acid could be recovered from the pyrite concentrate taken from tailings and identified a number of opportunities for the sale of pyrite locally.
- Proven and probable reserves increased by approximately 100,000 ounces.
2009 Overview
- Completed 20 million tonnes per year expansion.
- Produced 156,200 ounces of gold exceeding original guidance of 140 to 155,000 ounces of gold.
- Discovered new mineralized zone, Suruca, at Chapada. Drill results demonstrate the potential to add ounces from the areas surrounding the mine further extending Chapada’s already long mine life of 17 years.
Future Growth
- Recovery of additional gold and copper from the proposed pyrite project is expected.
- Define size potential of Suruca.
- Plant optimizations scheduled to increase throughput to up to 22 million tonnes per year before 2012.
Production and Costs
2009A: 156,200 ounces of gold
2010E: 140,155,000 ounces of gold at $280-300 per ounce
2011E: 135-145,000 ounces of gold at $320-350 per ounce
Reserves and Resources
(at December 31, 2008)
Proven and probable reserves
345M tonnes at 0.22 grams/tonne gold = 2.5M ounces gold
345M tonnes at 0.32% copper = 2.4B pounds of copper
Measured and Indicated Resources
(exclusive of reserves)
185M tonnes at 0.13 grams/tonne gold = 745,000 ounces gold
185M tonnes at 0.20% copper = 797,000 pounds of copper
Inferred Resources
(exclusive of reserves)
187M tonnes at 0.11 grams/tonne gold = 661,000 ounces gold
187M tonnes at 0.20% copper = 823,000 pounds of copper