Processing & Production
Treatment facility at Engenho Project, Brazil
Ore is processed through a conventional carbon-in-pulp processing plant that Mundo constructed immediately adjacent to the open pit.
The plant was commissioned on 30 April 2008 with initial gold bullion production achieved in mid-June 2008. Gold ore is processed and refined under contract at an external refinery.
Since commissioning, the treatment facility has achieved excellent metallurgical recoveries averaging around 95%, compared to a budget of 93%.
In order to ensure that plant productivity remains robust, the Company has decided to incorporate a tertiary crusher to complement the crushing circuit. While this was included in the original plant design, the crushing circuit was initially operated without a tertiary crusher to monitor its performance.
The decision to incorporate the tertiary crusher will ensure maximum processing flexibility, with the ability to increase production rates to accommodate expected full production of approximately 25,000 tonnes per month.
Production from Engenho is anticipated to be approximately 20,000 tonnes per month and the additional capacity will allow near term production to be achieved from satellite deposits with little anticipated additional capital expenditure to accommodate treatment.
