The Jacobina complex of underground mines is located in the state of Bahia, in north eastern Brazil near the Serra do Jacobina mountains.
Project History
Jacobina was commissioned in the first quarter of 2005 and commercial production was declared on July 1, 2005.
Type of Operation
Underground mines serving a central CIP processing plant. Yamana is developing a number of underground mines on the Jacobina property to supplement ore feed currently coming from Joao Belo Mine to feed a centralized mill. Morro do Vento, Morro do Vento Extension and Canavieiras will come on stream as production capacity increases from current levels.
Mine Highlights
- With an expected mine life well in excess of 15 years Jacobina is one of Yamana’s longest life mines.
- Total reserve and resource base of more than 4.7 million ounces of gold.
2008 Overview
- Increased throughput capacity to levels averaging from 5,000 to 6,500 tonnes per day.
- Enhanced life of current tailings dam and improved the desorption circuit capacity and the back-up system and leaching circuits.
- Developed a full comprehensive mine plan to accommodate the expansion and longer term processing of ore at various levels of plant capacity.
- At year end, proven and probable reserves increased to approximately 1.4 million ounces of gold with new reserve ounces having exceeded ounces mined.
2009 Overview
- Completed plant upgrade.
- Mined from nine to 12 stopes at three mines (João Belo, Canavieiras and Morro do Vento) and further developed the fourth mine (Basal).
- Processed ore at 6,000 tonnes per day in the fourth quarter of 2009, the expected level in 2010.
- Continued to increase mine development for higher grade areas.
- Discovered new mineralized zone, Lagartixa.
Future Growth
- Process ore at 6,000 tonnes per day in 2010 and at the increased rate of 6,200 tonnes per day by early 2011.
- New mineralized zone, Lagartixa, exhibits substantially higher grade than the current mineral reserve grade at Jacobina.
- Continued focus on improving dilution and recovery as well as exploring, discovering and developing higher grade areas including Canavieiras.
Production and Costs
2009A: 110,500 ounces of gold
2010E: 105-125,000 ounces of gold at $500-525 per ounce
2011E: 110-130,000 ounces of gold at $500-550 per ounce
Reserves and Resources
(at December 31, 2008)
Proven and Probable Reserves
19.5M tonnes at 2.23 grams/tonne gold = 1.4M ounces gold
Measured and Indicated Resources
(exclusive of reserves)
16.6M tonnes at 2.87 grams/tonne gold = 1.5M ounces gold
Inferred Resources
(exclusive of reserves)
25.2M tonnes at 2.22 grams/tonne gold = 1.8M ounces gold
15+ year