Maricunga (100% ownership and operator) - Chile

The Maricunga open pit mine is located in the Maricunga Mining District in central Chile, approximately 120 kilometers east of Copiapo and is situated between 4,200 meters and 4,500 meters above sea level. Kinross acquired its original 50% interest and became operator of the mine through the Kinam merger on June 1, 1998. In February 2007, Kinross acquired the remaining 50% to become 100% owner of the Maricunga property through the acquisition of Bema Gold Corporation.

• Maricunga Technical Report (PDF)

Commercial production began on October 1, 1996. In 2001, due to low gold prices and operational difficulties, mining activities were suspended and the operation was placed on care and maintenance. In late 2002, a multi-phase exploration program commenced and in 2003, it was determined that the mine would be recommissioned.  

The mine went into commercial production in the fourth quarter of 2005 and achieved its average targeted production rate of 40,000 tonnes per day in November 2005.

The Maricunga mine is a three-stage crushing and heap leach operation with a name plate capacity of 40,000 tonnes of ore per day, or 11 million tonnes per year.  

Facilities include a permanent camp with access to the site from Copiapo provided by road. Power that was once supplied by on-site diesel powered generators is now taken from the main power grid.  

Kinross Gold Corporation’s Share at December 31, 2008