São Vicente is located in west central Brazil, close to the Bolivian border approximately 50 kilometres north of Yamana’s São Francisco mine.


Project History

Based on a favourable feasibility study, a construction decision was approved at the end of 2006. Construction was completed in late 2008 and operations began with the first gold pour at the beginning of 2009. Sao Vicente reached commercial production effective September 1, 2009.

Type of Operation

Open pit, heap leach and gravity concentration

Mine Highlights

• Gold mineralization occurs for more than 1,000 metres in two parallel northwest trending zones. 
• The mine has an estimated mine life of at least five years and is expected to produce a total of approximately 300,000 ounces of gold over that period.
• Operations began in late 2008, with the first bullion produced in early 2009.
• Commercial production declared effective September 1, 2009.

Reserves and Resources

(exclusive of Reserves)
16M tonnes at 0.58 grams/tonne gold = 298,000 ounces gold

Proven and Probable Reserves

13.1M tonnes at 0.81 grams/tonne gold = 342,000 ounces gold

Measured and Indicated Resources

(exclusive of Reserves)
16M tonnes at 0.58 grams/tonne gold = 298,000 ounces gold

Inferred Resources

(exclusive of reserves)
3.6M tonnes at 0.87 grams/tonne gold = 101,000 ounces gold

For further information please see Yamana’s mineral reserves and resources estimates


Expected Remaining Mine Life

5+ years