Fazenda Brasileiro is an underground gold mine located in northeast Brazil, 180 kilometres north northwest of the state capital of Salvador.   The property also includes approximately 197,000 hectares of adjacent exploration properties.

 

  

Type of Operation

The mine began production in 1984 as an open-pit, heap-leach operation, however, in 1988, production began from underground operations with processing in a CIP plant and has been in continuous operations since such time.

Project History

Fazenda Brasileiro has more than 15 years of operating experience and a history of replacing mineral reserves.

 

Mine Highlights

• Since its purchase in 2003, Fazenda Brasileiro had 2.5 years of mine life remaining based on known mineral reserves. Yamana has since been mining at Fazenda Brasileiro for seven years.

2009 Overview

• 2009 production of 76,415 ounces of gold.
• Completed tailings dam expansion.
• Discovered new mineralized zones, Lagoa do Gato and CLX2, which represents significant potential to increase the mine life.

 

Future Growth

• Conduct 20,000 metres of drilling on the Lagoa do Gato and CLX2 targets to confirm measured and indicated resources for reserve classification.
• Redefine Fazenda Brasileiro with exploration focused on recent discoveries and on more aggressive regional exploration.
• Increase mineral reserves and mineral resources in existing and new areas.

 

Strategic Mine Life Remaining

Approximately 2-4 years
 

Reserves and Resources

(at December 31, 2009)

Proven and Probable Reserves

• 2.2 million tonnes grading 2.67 g/t gold containing 185,000 ounces gold 

Measured and Indicated Resources (exclusive of Reserves)

• 1.8 million tonnes grading 2.77 g/t gold containing 159,000 ounces gold 

Inferred Resources (exclusive of reserves)

• 1.9 million tonnes grading 3.48 g/t gold containing 208,000 ounces gold

 

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