Musselwhite Gold Mine, Ontario, CanadaKey Data Producer of Gold Location 500km north of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada Ownership Goldcorp Inc. (68.1%), Kinross Gold (31.9%) Geology type Gold hosted in iron formations in Archaean greenstones Mineral type Disseminated native gold Reserve base 11.1Mt grading 5.67g/t gold (proven and probable), containing 2Moz Au (2005) Annual production 250,380oz Au (2005) Full specifications Located 500km north of Thunder Bay in northwestern Ontario, Musselwhite was brought on stream in 1997 by a joint venture between Placer Dome and TVX Newmont Americas. Kinross Gold subsequently acquired a 31.9% holding in the mine with the amalgamation in 2003 of Kinross, TVX Gold and Echo Bay Mines, while Goldcorp Inc. bought Placer Dome¶s 68.1% stake from Barrick Gold Corp. in 2006 following Barrick¶s take-over of Aerial view of Placer. Thus ownership is held jointly by Goldcorp and Kinross. Musselwhite. GEOLOGY AND RESERVES Musselwhite's gold-bearing zones lie within the Weagamow-North Caribou greenstone belt of the Sachigo sub-province. The supracrustal rocks have been folded and gold mineralisation is generally found within iron formation horizons characterised by Schematic of a section oxide-silicate facies. through the Musselwhite mine. As of December 2005, proven and probable ore reserves were with a crushing level. The T-A rate was increased to 3. at a rate of 1. open-pit production having been designed to ensure mill feed at a rate of 3. MINING Musselwhite initially operated both open-pit and underground mines.11. Phase 1 underground production from the T Antiform (TA) deposit built up to a design rate of 2. During Phase Two.300t/d for about five years following mill commissioning.300 t/d by expanding the fleet of 40-tonne haul trucks. Cemented rockfill is used in primary stoping blocks and uncemented rockfill in secondary stopes. loading level and ore passes installed.500t/d.1Mt grading 5. the ore being blasted using ring drilling. from the PQ zone.000t/d. ORE PROCESSING The mill is designed to treat 3300t/d and employs conventional gravity separation. An underground crushing and conveying system was subsequently commissioned. containing 2Moz of gold. The first phase of development of the underground section of the T Trainee miners operating a Antiform deposit involved developing a decline from surface to jackleg drill underground. . access some 5Mt of ore reserves above the 275m level.67g/t gold. achieving a mining rate of 3. cyanide leach and carbon-in-pulp (CIP) The Musselwhite mill with A longhole drill in operation underground. Other infrastructure included a ventilation raise to surface.700 t/d. with exploration continuing in an effort to identify further resources. Ore transportation at the Underground production is from transverse longhole stopes where mine. with measured and indicated mineralisation containing a further 425. Longitudinal stopes use conventional longhole benching and are backfilled with waste rock and crushed material from open-pit stripping. In 1997.000 t/d. Ore handling underground is undertaken by remote-controlled LHDs. The current mine life is until 2013. the mining width is greater than 12m. the reserves were accessed via a production shaft. supplemented by ore.000oz. increasing production to 4. with 40tcapacity trucks used to haul the ore to surface. Most of the mine¶s ore is now sourced from underground. A new ventilation shaft was sunk and the existing ventilation shaft converted into a production shaft. Loaded carbon is eluted using the conventional pressurized Zadra technique. Gold in solution is recovered by absorption onto activated carbon in a CIP circuit. dried.380oz at a cash cost of US$324/oz. grinders in the foreground.processes to recover the gold from the ore. The washed tailing is pumped to a reaction vessel for cyanide destruction. and melted into bullion bars. Gravity concentration using a Knelson concentrator and shaking tables recovers coarse free gold from the ore. .44g/t gold. Gold in the pregnant solution is recovered onto stainless steel cathodes by electrowinning. The gold in the gravity concentrate is recovered by direct smelting. the output being fed directly to a secondary crushing plant. with the remainder being leached for 32 hours in agitated tanks. Musselwhite produced just over 1Mt of ore grading 5. Gold production totalled 250. filtered. Stripped carbon is reactivated and returned to the CIP circuit. PRODUCTION During 2005.7Moz of gold. The CIP tailing flows by gravity to a two-stage CCD washing circuit to recover cyanide. Since being commissioned. The gold sludge is pressure-washed from these cathodes. The Inco/S02 air process with two stages of washing is used in order to provide an effluent containing less than 5ppm cyanide for discharge to the tailings pond. Pouring gold at Musselwhite. the mine has produced over 1. Primary crushing is carried out on surface using a jaw crusher. north of Thunder Bay. and.MUSSELWHITE Musselwhite consists of an underground gold mine and associated processing plant.600 $585 ** On December 21. Through continued exploration success.8 5.41 96 155. Goldcorp acquired Kinross Gold Corporation¶s 32% interest in the Musselwhite gold mine. . Musselwhite is a fly-in operation located on the southern shore of Opapimiskan Lake. training and employment opportunities and business-related services for surrounding communities. the mine produced its 3 millionth ounce of gold in Sept 2010 and reserves still remain at 2. The mine is situated in northwestern Ontario. as a result. which provides for a range of education. is 103 kilometres by air to the south.548 hectares. Canada. 480 kilometres by air.100 5. The property consists of a combination of leases and mining claim units covering a total area of 17.700 $491 2008 (actual) 1.500 $611 2009 1. and measured and indicated resources were 0. proven and probable gold reserves stood at 2.56 95 210.5 5. 2007. The nearest town.27 million ounces.237. When mining operations commenced in 1997. Musselwhite has established an innovative agreement with local First Nations communities. the table above reflects Goldcorp¶s 100% ownership from December 21.93 95 232. OPERATING STATISTICS Musselwhite Ore milled Tonnes(000¶s) Milled grade Au g/t Total Recovery Au % Gold Produced Oz Total Cash Cost US$/oz 2007 (actual) ** 911. Musselwhite had a 10 year mine life and reserves of 1.11 million ounces. 2007. Pickle Lake. At the end of 2009.289.0 million ounces of gold.8 million ounces of gold. Originally a Placer Dome/TVX Gold Inc. Musselwhite and the First Nations communities of North Caribou Lake. Photo: Goldcorp Inc. Cat Lake. joint venture. alongside Shibogama First Nations Council and Windigo First . new discoveries may extend the mine life beyond 2020. approximately 480 air kilometres north of Thunder Bay. MUSSELWHITE MINE Project The Musselwhite gold mine in northwestern Ontario is a fly-in. Signed Agreements Musselwhite was one of the first mines in Ontario to enter into a comprehensive Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA) with local First Nations communities. and its joint-venture partner Kinross Gold. fly-out operation located along the southern shore of Opapimiskan Lake. In September 2001. and Wunnumin Lake. Kingfisher Lake. more than 250 kilometres to the south.PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS The Minerals and Metals Sector of Natural Resources Canada promotes the participation of Aboriginal communities in minerals and metals activities across Canada by sharing information on Aboriginal-industry leading practices. An all-weather road connects the mine to the community of Pickle Lake. Musselwhite is now operated by majority owner Goldcorp Inc. Although slated to close in 2013. The positions vary from entry-level to senior positions within the operations.Nations Council. travel coordinators. with payments divided between revenue sharing. environmental trainees. The company also supports a trade apprenticeship program that encourages First Nations involvement. and Chiefs and mine management hold regular meetings to monitor implementation of the IBA and to resolve disputes when required. accounts payable staff. diesel mechanics. assay laboratory workers. Employment and Training Musselwhite employs approximately 369 workers.or two-week rotations as underground mine labourers. of which about 25% are Aboriginal persons. and revenue sharing with signatory communities based on monthly production. and environmental funding. implementation funding. signatory communities were paid more than $2 million in 2005. Employees work on one. The communities themselves make decisions on how the funds are managed. renewed the IBA originally signed in 1996. 16% of the Aboriginal work force comes from these signatory communities. at present. and clerks. Aboriginal representatives sit on each of the committees. The agreement also provides for an Environmental Working Committee and a Musselwhite Working Committee to monitor socio-economic matters. mill operators. The deal provided compensation for affected groups. including trappers. The mine has a target of 30% employment from the signatory and affiliate communities of Windigo and Shibogama First Nations Councils. Under the IBA. carpentry maintenance workers. . Musselwhite also provided a group of communities from the Shibogama First Nations Council with a $450 000 interest-free loan to partner with the RONA chain in opening a hardware store in Sioux Lookout. Another recent initiative is a Cultural Diversity Training Program aimed at identifying cultural differences and encouraging employees to work in a positive manner. weight room. and teamwork. which provides on-site food service. stress management. The workshops focused on crisis intervention. Musselwhite funded a series of crisis intervention workshops in a local First Nations community afflicted by suicide. Employees also manage a Recreational Committee and take advantage of an on-site gymnasium. Social/Cultural and Community Support Musselwhite's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) aims to provide employees living in remote communities with additional social support. Musselwhite The mine purchased approximately $10 million in goods and services from companies owned by First Nations communities in 2006. while First Nations joint venture Pipestone Contracting has received an estimated $26 million in labour. saunas. freight and construction contracts since exploration began. a . conflict resolution. including visits to the mine by a social worker approximately four days per month. In late 2006.Economic/Business Development Photo: Shane Matson. Among the largest of these contracts was a deal for air travel with Wasaya Airlines and an annual agreement with Windigo Catering. The Shibogama Health Authority provides nursing care at the mine site. environmental protection. For more information on the Musselwhite mine. Aboriginal representatives also participate in mine-related monitoring activities. including bird and fish studies and field assessment reviews. as well as mitigation measures such as. Moving Forward Musselwhite will continue to work with Aboriginal communities in helping to bridge gaps in basic education and training in order to improve the work force supply. The Pipestone Environmental Lands and Resources Monitoring Secretariat oversees environmental monitoring at the mine. Aboriginal contractors worked on a man-made fish habitat that was created to compensate for a loss of habitat due to construction of a tailings impoundment in 1996. As a seasonal discharger of effluent. the recovery of a snowmobile that fell through the ice. Environmental Protection Photo: Adèle Faubert. . Musselwhite The Environmental Working Committee consists of representatives from the mine and the signatory communities and meets up to six times yearly to discuss issues such as wildlife management. please visit www. Musselwhite has also pledged $150 000 to the new Sioux Lookout Hospital. and the results of the Environmental Effects Monitoring Program.com or contact the company by telephone at 807-532-2160 or by facsimile at 807-532-2021. Musselwhite holds opening and closing ceremonies for each discharge season where Aboriginal representatives are brought in to bless the effluent. During the summer. and Internet access. and give thanks for a successful season. Local First Nations heritage and cultural sites are also monitored to prevent desecration and disturbance. offer prayers.goldcorp.recreational area. employees have the use of fishing boats and sailboats on nearby Opapimiskan Lake. for example. which is currently awaiting construction. Canada P7B 6S8 Tel: +1 (807) 928 2200 Contact Information Fax: +1 (807) 928 2067 Maintenance: Brad Dahl Mine Manager: Gil Lawson Chief Engineer: Tim Sanford Last updated: August 2010 . 450 Musselwhite Mine PO Box 7500 Thunder Bay. 2009.17g/t Gold (Dec 31. Ontario. proven and probable reserves) Mining Type Mining Method Mine Life Employees Underground Crushing. 233k oz Gold in 2009 Banded iron formation hosted gold deposit Location Owners Production Deposit Type Reserves & Resources 10.Musselwhite Mine Key Facts Commodity Gold Canada Latitude: 52 deg 36 min N Longitude: 90 deg 21 min W Map Satellite Image Goldcorp Inc.3mt @ 6. grinding and leaching To 2015 Approx. Musselwhite Charts Company Charts y Commodity Charts y Regional Location Mine site Grizzly . 000 ounces. which plunge at approximately 15 degrees to grid north. is 103 kilometres by air to the south. The property consists of a combination of leases and mining claim units covering a total area of 17. cumulative production exceeds 1.North Caribou Greenstone Belt of the Sachigo Subprovince. Musselwhite uses First Nation contractors to provide air transportation and camp services. With existing mineral reserves. 480 kilometres by air north of Thunder Bay in northwestern Ontario. The location of mineralization is controlled by the intersection of D3 shears zones and D2 folded meta-banded iron formations. Personnel and some services are flown into the mine which is serviced by a 1. Pickle Lake and five northern communities. The nearest town. The site is accessed by road from Pickle Lake via the North Road (formerly Highway 808). the Musselwhite Mine has an expected mine life through to 2018. Geology Musselwhite mine is located within the Weagamow .548 hectares. All lithologies within the immediate mine area have been metamorphosed at mid to upper amphibolite facies. chemical sediments and felsic volcanics. These geological controls result in mineralized shoots. Musselwhite began commercial production on April 1. The mine is situated in northwestern Ontario. Approximately 150 kilometres north of Pickle Lake a 43 kilometre all-weather road leads to the mine site. Canada and is 100% owned by Goldcorp Inc. Musselwhite is a fly-in operation with pick-up points in Thunder Bay.500 metre gravel airstrip. down plunge continuation in . External to the supracrustal sequences are a series of undifferentiated gneisses and granitoids.Overview Musselwhite is principally an underground gold mine and associated processing plant producing nearly a quarter of a million ounces of gold annually. Today. The mine employs approximately 450 employees and contractors. Pickle Lake.7 million ounces The area also has excellent exploration potential which may further extend the mine life. part of the Archean Superior Province. Location The Musselwhite mine is located on the southern shore of Opapimiskan Lake. have a down dip extent of up to 150 m. Gold production for 2009 totaled 233. Mineralization is predominantly hosted within meta-chemical sediments (banded iron formations) and in particular within garnet-magnetite-grunerite facies meta-banded iron formations (locally termed the Northern Iron Formation). 1997 and by 2001 had poured its one millionth ounce. The stratigraphy in the immediate mine vicinity is dominated by mafic volcanics. PQ Mining Development of the PQ mineral reserve began in 2003 and production commenced in September 2003. Phase 1 production began in 1997. Mining methods are the same as those used on the T Antiform. commenced development during the second half of 2003. during which the majority of the mineral reserves from surface to the 275 meter level were mined out at a rate 2. Rock mass quality within the deposit is generally good and free of strong jointing and faulting. The PQ Deeps mining will occur between the 570 metre level and the 820 metre level. Access development for the Esker zone provides additional benefits . Mineralized zones are characterized by abundant pyrrhotite. Esker Mining Development towards the Esker zone started in 2004. began production in July 2002. Transverse stopes are developed where mining widths are greater than 15 m.700 tonnes per day. The rate of production from this zone is planned at 550 tonnes per day. consisting of mineral reserves between the 275 meter level and the 375 meter level. and across-lithology width of up to 10 m. Two mining methods are employed in the T-Antiform. organized according to depth from surface. Phase 2 production. Mining & Operation T-Antiform Mining The mining plan for the T-Antiform deposit has evolved considerably from the final preconstruction feasibility study. began in 2001. Development of this phase began in the final quarter of 2001 and continues into 2006. visible gold. It now consists of four phases. rarely. Phase 4.000 tonnes per day. Longitudinal retreat mining is employed in areas with widths less than 15 m. PQ Deeps Mining The mining of the PQ Deeps reserves started during the Phase 4 production in the T Antiform. Phase 3. The mining methods employed in the PQ zone are conventional long hole and sub level drifting with long hole stopes. Supplemented by the remaining reserves above the 275 meter level.5 kilometres.excess of 1. Production is to begin in late 2006 at a rate of 1. quartz flooding and. consisting of mineral reserves between the 375 meter level and the 500 meter level. consisting of the remaining mineral reserves in the T Antiform between the 500 meter level and the 675 meter level. Between 26% to 30% of the gold is extracted with this process. Two Knelson concentrators extract liberated gold particles that are treated in an Acacia Reactor in an intensive cyanidation process. About 80% of the mill process water is taken from the tailings pond. filtered. for a total length of 190 kilometres. production from the Snoppy deposit was originally scheduled for late in the mine life. Gold is recovered from leach solution using activated charcoal or carbon in a six-tank CIP circuit. Mine ventilation air is also heated by propane to provide an acceptable working environment and to prevent freezing of underground installations. gold recovery from start to finish is 95. The tailings or residue from this process is washed with incoming reclaim water in a two-stage counter-current decantation circuit and then treated for cyanide removal using Inco's sulphur dioxide technology. The mill tailing product is discharged to the impoundment containing less than 1.serving as part of a ventilation circuit for mining Phase 4 of the T Antiform reserves and the PQ Deeps. Snoppy Deposit Due to its location beneath the polishing pond and close to the shop and warehouse buildings.5%. This process is 99. . This leaching is done in four stirred-tank reactors. Overall. The balance of the process make-up water is obtained from Opapimiskan Lake. Conventional whole-ore cyanidation is used to further extract gold from the ore.8% efficient. The resulting gold-bearing solution reports to electrowinning where gold is deposited onto stainless steel cathodes by electrolysis. Gold is removed from the gold-laden carbon in an elution column using a caustic-cyanide solution at high temperature and pressure. Water Supply Potable water is obtained from Opapimiskan Lake then filtered and chlorinated in a Class II water treatment plant. The combined elution and electrowinning process is 99% efficient. Gold is washed from the cathodes. A high-grade gold-bearing solution reports to electrowinning. The camp and buildings are heated by propane. dried and melted in a furnace to produce gold metal. About 93% of the remaining gold is extracted. Power Supply A 115 kV transmission line from Pickle Lake provides electric power. The line follows the existing highway and the access road to the mine site.5 mg/L cyanide. Processing The milling facility uses two-stage crushing to reduce ore to minus 19 mm and conventional two-stage rod-ball grinding to further reduce ore to 80% passing 106 microns. employment and business related services for local communities. . training. and Musselwhite's relationships and agreements with the local communities are recognized as best practice. Musselwhite has established an innovative agreement with the First Nation people which provides for a range of education.Environment & Community The mine is located on traditional First Nation land.