Macraes Mine
Macraes Mine in East Otago is New Zealand's largest gold mine,[1] and consists of a large scale opencast mine[2] opened in 1990, and a newer underground mine, opened in 2008.[3] It is situated close to the settlement of Macraes Flat and is owned by OceanaGold Corporation. Tours of the mine are available.[4]
Gold production averaged 193,000 ounces/year for 2008 through 2010. Ore grades have been declining, to 1.26 grams/tonne in 2010, but recoveries have improved slightly to 81% of the gold contained in the ore, in 2010. From 1990 through 2014, gold production has totaled about 4 million ounces.[5] The company claims a gold reserve of 1.53 MM troy oz Au plus a larger subeconomic gold resource; and expects the mine to operate at least through 2019.[3]
The gold bearing rocks were formed by the orogenic processes that created the Otago Schist belt.[6]
References
- ↑ Hartley, SImon (28 June 2018). "Another 10 years for Macraes". ODT. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
- ↑ "New Zealand". Oceana Gold. 2008. Retrieved 2010-05-29.
- 1 2 Macraes Mine at Oceana Gold
- ↑ Mine tours
- ↑ Oceana Gold Business Review, June 2011.
- ↑ Craw, Dave. "Macraes Mine, East Otago, New Zealand,". Geology Department, University of Otago. Retrieved 2010-05-29.
External links
- Macraes Mine at Oceana Gold
Coordinates: 45°22′34″S 170°27′01″E / 45.3762°S 170.4504°E