Mining News: First Jualin ore at Kensington

Coeur Mining Inc. Oct. 5 reported that initial development ore has been mined from the Jualin deposit at its Kensington gold mine in Southeast Alaska. Mining the higher grade ore from Jualin is expected to ramp up as planned over the next twelve months. During the third quarter, the Kensington Mine produced 27,541 ounces of gold, a 4 percent increase over the second quarter and the highest gold production in more than a year. The average grade of material processed at Kensington during the third quarter was 0.17 oz per ton gold, the same as the previous quarter. The increased third quarter gold production was due to increased mill throughput combined with a slightly higher recovery rate. The Kensington Mine produced 80,162 oz of gold through the first nine months of 2017. Coeur, however, continues to anticipate the underground operation to produce 120,000 to 125,000 oz of gold for the year, meaning the operation is expected to produce at least 40,000 oz during the fourth quarter. Coeur said this significant increase in anticipated production is due to the expected higher grade ore from Jualin. Coeur’s five operations in the United States, Mexico and Bolivia produced 4 million oz of silver and 93,292 oz of gold, or 9.5 million silver-equivalent oz during the third quarter.

–SHANE LASLEY