New gold/silver recovery plant in southern Argentina features cutting-edge technology from Australia that is expected to deliver to the operator significant environmental and operating cost benefits.

Gekko Systems supplied its unique InLine Pressure Jig and InLine Leach Reactor to Minera Santa Cruz at the San José mine in Patagonia. Minera Santa Cruz is co-owned by Minera Andes (49%) and joint venture partner and operator Hochschild Mining plc. The total cost of the processing plant was less than $A10 million, with a second stage planned following successful commissioning of the initial facility. San José ore responds well to preconcentration, hence the use of a gravity device (InLine Pressure Jig) in the process flowsheet. The unit significantly reduces cyanide use at the site. The InLine Leach Reactor treats concentrates from the gravity/flotation circuit. Minera Andes said the modular gold and silver recovery plant manufactured by Gekko Systems would contribute to San Jose’s low operating cost profile. The operation is forecast to produce 61,000oz of gold and 3.1 million ounces of silver annually. The project’s average operating costs are predicted to be $US200/oz of gold equivalent. “A formal decision has been announced by the San Jose joint venture operating company aimed at doubling production in 12-to-18 months from the June 2007 start-up,” the mine operator said. Proven and probable mineral reserves at start-up were 1.16Mt grading 7.7 grams per tonne gold and 406 grams per tonne silver. The internationally recognised Inline Pressure Jig is a high yield, high recovery gravity separation device being used to recover free gold, sulphides, native copper, native silver, tin/ tantalum, diamonds and garnet. The InLine Leach Reactor has been used to increase recoveries of both free gold and sulphide related gold with its rapid leach kinetics and capacity to leach coarse and high grade gold concentrates.

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