Kinross Pours First Gold Bar at La Coipa

Kinross Gold Corp.’s La Coipa project in Chile has achieved a significant milestone and poured its first gold bar. The project commenced commissioning at its plant in early February, on schedule and under budget, with the plant expecting to ramp up over the next few months to reach full operating capacity midyear.

“Thanks to the hard work and contributions of our team in Chile, we were able to reach this important milestone and pour our first gold bar at La Coipa,” President and CEO J. Paul Rollinson said. “Our team has safely delivered the project on schedule and under budget despite the challenging operating environment caused by the global pandemic over the past two years. With La Coipa expected to reach full operating capacity by midyear, we are on the cusp of further exciting milestones at the project.”

At year-end 2021, Kinross increased La Coipa’s expected life of mine production by 45% to approximately 1 million Au equivalent ounces by incorporating the nearby Puren pit into the project and optimizing the Phase 7 mine plan. The project’s life of mine estimate was also extended from 2024 to 2026. Pre-stripping at Puren is expected to begin in April.

The company said it continues to study opportunities to further expand La Coipa’s mine plan, such as a possible additional Puren pushback and incorporating other adjacent pits into the project.

Kinross also signed a power purchase agreement late last year to supply La Coipa with 100% renewable power to meet its power needs, in line with the company’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategy.