ARGENTINA – Toronto-based
Barrick Gold Corp. has resumed operations at its Veladero gold mine 320 km northwest of San Juan. Approval of normal operations has been received from the San Juan provincial authorities.
Mining was suspended on Sept. 15, a week after falling ice damaged a pipe carrying process solution in the leach pad area. The ensuing spill consisted of crushed ore and some process solution, but the material was contained on the mine site and returned to the leach pad.
Barrick has completed remedial work as required by the province to prevent such an incident from reoccurring, including increasing the height of the perimeter berms that surround the leach pad. Extensive water monitoring in the area did not find measurable impact on the environmental.
The suspension at Veladero will have a negative impact on Barrick’s 2016 guidance, decreasing the mine’s output to between 5.0 million and 5.5 million oz of gold, compared to 602,000 oz in 2015.
The company maintains its website at
www.Barrick.com.
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