Serra Grande Gold Mine
Encyclopedia
The Serra Grande Gold Mine is a gold mine located 5 km from Crixás
, in the Goiás
state of Brazil
. It is jointly owned by AngloGold Ashanti
and Kinross Gold Corporation
, who are equal partners. The mine is operated by AngloGold Ashanti but revenue is spread evenly between the two companies.
In 2008, the Brazilian operations contributed 8% to AngloGold Ashanti's overall production. It is one of two mining operations of the company in Brazil, the other being the Brasil Mineração Gold Mine.
Kinross Gold acquired fifty percent of the operation in January 2003 through a merger with TVX.
Serra Grande currently comprises three underground mines: Mina III, Mina Nova, and Palmeiras, the later being the most recent development. An open pit also exists above Mina III.
The mine experienced one fatality in 2008 but has been fatality free in 2009.
Crixás
Crixás is a small city and municipality in northwestern Goiás state, Brazil. The population was 14,547 in a total area of 4,661.5 km². Crixás was a major gold producing area but is now gradually losing population....
, in the Goiás
Goiás
Goiás is a state of Brazil, located in the central part of the country. The name Goiás comes from the name of an indigenous community...
state of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. It is jointly owned by AngloGold Ashanti
AngloGold Ashanti
AngloGold Ashanti Limited is a global gold mining company. It was formed in 2004 by the merger of AngloGold and the Ashanti Goldfields Corporation.AngloGold Ashanti Limited is now a global gold producer with 21 operations on four continents...
and Kinross Gold Corporation
Kinross Gold
Kinross Gold Corporation is a Canadian-based gold mining company with a gold production guidance of 4.5 to 4.9 million gold ounces by 2015. Kinross owns mines and projects in Canada, the United States, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Russia, Ghana and Mauritania, employing approximately 7,500 people...
, who are equal partners. The mine is operated by AngloGold Ashanti but revenue is spread evenly between the two companies.
In 2008, the Brazilian operations contributed 8% to AngloGold Ashanti's overall production. It is one of two mining operations of the company in Brazil, the other being the Brasil Mineração Gold Mine.
History
Exploration work on the current Serra Grande mine begun in 1973 and detailed mapping and diamond drilling was onducted until 1976. Mining however did not start until 1987.Kinross Gold acquired fifty percent of the operation in January 2003 through a merger with TVX.
Serra Grande currently comprises three underground mines: Mina III, Mina Nova, and Palmeiras, the later being the most recent development. An open pit also exists above Mina III.
The mine experienced one fatality in 2008 but has been fatality free in 2009.
Production
Recent production figures of the mine were:| Year | Production (ounces) | Grade | Cost per ounce |
| 2003 | 190,000 | 7.88 g/t | US$ United States dollar The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies.... 109 |
| 2004 | 188,000 | 7.80 g/t | US$ 134 |
| 2005 | 192,000 | 7.93 g/t | US$ 158 |
| 2006 | 194,000 | 7.51 g/t | US$ 198 |
| 2007 | 182,000 | 7.21 g/t | US$ 263 |
| 2008 | 174,000 | 7.58 g/t | US$ 294 |
| 2009 | 154,000 | 4.72 g/t | US$ 406 |
| 2010 |