| Company | Canadian Malartic Mine |
| Date | 2021 |
| Region | Canada |
| Commodities | Gold, Silver |
Executive Summary
The Canadian Malartic mine’s processing plant has operated since its debut in 2011, achieving significant ramp-up in efficiency and throughput through various operational projects. Key modifications included the addition of a secondary crushing line in 2012 and an auxiliary pre-crushed material line in 2017, which stabilized mill throughput and improved maintenance flexibility. The plant design capacity is 55,000 tonnes per calendar day, with 2019 performance data showing gold production of 669,191 ounces.
The recovery process begins with run-of-mine ore crushed by a gyratory crusher and cone crushers before being ground in a SAG mill and ball mills. The slurry is thickened and fed to a leach circuit where oxygen and cyanide are added. Gold is adsorbed onto carbon in a CIP carousel system, stripped using the Split-Zadra process, and recovered via electrowinning to produce doré bars. Cyanide destruction is performed using Caro’s acid before tailings are pumped to retention ponds.
Recent upgrades implemented in 2018 included the elution circuit upgrade to Split-Zadra and the implementation of an advanced control system at the grinding circuit. The tailing thickener was also modified in 2016 to increase underflow density. The mine status is operating, with the mill handling sulphide ore containing gold and silver. Performance metrics from 2019 indicate a gold recovery of 88.7% and silver recovery of 75.3%.
Reports
Entities
Website: https://malartic.agnicoeagle.com/en/about-us/canadian-malartic-mine/
Report Date: 2021
Region: Canada
Project Status:
Commodity: Gold, Silver
Throughput:
Mine Life:
Mine Type:
Ore type:
Technical report and processing history
The following archived source profiles have been consolidated here to preserve the project’s processing history and study context.
Canadian Malartic — 2013 Technical Report
Canadian Malartic — 2013 Technical Report
| Company | Osisko |
| Mine | Canadian Malartic |
| Date | 2013 |
| Region | Quebec, Canada |
| Commodities | Gold, Silver |
Executive Summary
This report details the recovery methods and operational performance of the Canadian Malartic mine, operated by Osisko. A feasibility study prepared in December 2008 by BBA outlined a processing plant design with a capacity of 55,000 t/d and a plant utilization of 92%. The design criteria assumed an average gold head grade of 1.07 g/t Au with an overall recovery of 85.9%, and an average silver head grade of 1.68 g/t Ag with a recovery of 69.3%. Construction commenced in 2008, with first commercial production achieved on May 19, 2011.
Production results from 2011 to 2012 demonstrate steady throughput increases, exceeding the design rate following the installation of new secondary cone crushers in 2012. Quarterly throughput statistics show milling rates rising from approximately 29,894 t/d in Q2 2011 to 44,435 t/d by Q4 2012. Gold production figures similarly increased, with quarterly outputs ranging from 46,606 oz in Q2 2011 to over 100,000 oz in late 2012.
The processing facility utilizes a run-of-mine ore circuit starting with a primary gyratory crusher and secondary cone crushers. Ore is then ground in a SAG mill closed with a pebble crusher, followed by a two-stage ball mill circuit targeting 80% passing 64 microns. The grinding circuit feeds a leach tank circuit with oxygen injection, followed by Carbon-in-Pulp (CIP) pump cell carousels for gold recovery. Tailings are thickened, detoxified using the CombinOx® Process to reduce cyanide levels below 20 ppm, and stored in a retention area.
Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Malartic_Corporation
Report Date: 2013
Region: Quebec, Canada
Project Status:
Commodity: Gold, Silver
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Technical Report on the Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates for the Canadian Malartic Property
Technical Report on the Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates for the Canadian Malartic Property
| Company | Canadian Malartic |
| Mine | Canadian Malartic Property |
| Date | Unknown |
| Region | Canada |
| Commodities | Gold, Silver |
| Throughput | 50,000 – 55,000 tpd |
| Status | Operating |
Executive Summary
The Canadian Malartic Property Technical Report outlines the recovery methods for the mill project, designed for a capacity of 55,000 tpd with a current throughput of 50,000 tpd. The plant design assumes a head grade of 1.2 g/t Au and targets a gold recovery of 86%. The process involves run of mine ore transported to a gyratory crusher, followed by secondary crushing and stockpiling before grinding.
The grinding circuit utilizes a 38 ft SAG mill in closed circuit with pebble crushers, feeding two secondary and one tertiary ball mill to achieve a final product size suitable for leaching. Lime and cyanide are added to the grinding circuit to initiate leaching, with the slurry thickened to 50% solids before entering the leach tank circuit.
Gold recovery is achieved through a Carbon-in-Leach (CIP) carousel system, followed by Zadra pressure stripping and electrowinning to produce gold sludge. The sludge is refined into doré bars, while tailings are thickened and detoxified using the Combinox process before disposal to the retention pond.
Website: https://www.agnicoeagle.com/English/operations-and-projects/global-operations-and-development-projects/canadian-malartic-complex/default.aspx
Report Date: Unknown
Region: Canada
Project Status: Operating
Commodity: Gold, Silver
Throughput: 50,000 – 55,000 tpd
Mine Life:
Mine Type:
Ore type:
Technical Report on the Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates for the Canadian Malartic Property — Recovery Methods
Technical Report on the Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates for the Canadian Malartic Property — Recovery Methods
| Company | Canadian Malartic Partnership |
| Mine | Canadian Malartic Mine |
| Date | N/A |
| Region | Quebec, Canada |
| Commodities | Gold, Silver |
Executive Summary
The Canadian Malartic Mill project is designed with a capacity of 55,000 tpd, though current throughput is limited to approximately 50,000 tpd. The plant design assumes a head grade of 1.2 g/t Au with a target gold recovery of 86%. A study is underway to increase average throughput to the design capacity of 55,000 tpd.
The processing circuit begins with a primary gyratory crusher followed by secondary crushing and a covered stockpile. Ore is reclaimed via an underground tunnel to feed a SAG mill circuit, which includes a 38 ft SAG mill in closed circuit with pebble crushers. The grinding circuit continues with two secondary and one tertiary ball mill to achieve a final product size suitable for leaching.
Gold recovery is achieved through a Carbon-in-Pulp (CIP) circuit using Kemix pump cell carousel systems. The loaded carbon undergoes Zadra pressure stripping, followed by electrowinning to precipitate gold onto cathodes. The final product is refined into doré bars in an induction furnace. Tailings are thickened and detoxified using the Combonox process before disposal.
Website: https://malartic.agnicoeagle.com/en/about-us/
Report Date: N/A
Region: Quebec, Canada
Project Status:
Commodity: Gold, Silver
Throughput:
Mine Life:
Mine Type:
Ore type:
