Producing gold in California.
Equinox Gold acquired the Mesquite Gold Mine on October 30, 2018, bringing immediate production and cash flow to the Company. Mesquite is an open-pit heap leach mine with a long history of successful operations.
Status IN PRODUCTION
Location CALIFORNIA, USA
Production AVG. 135,000 OZ/YEAR
Mining Styleopen-pit heap leach
Estimated Costsaisc ~ US$950/oz
Potential Upsideoptimize recoveries / exploration
Reserves1.1 moz @ 0.54 g/t gold
Resourcesadditional 1.2 moz @ 0.46 g/t gold
Download mesquite technical report
Equinox Gold completed its acquisition of the Mesquite Gold Mine on October 30, 2018, bringing immediate production and cash flow to the Company and transforming Equinox Gold from a developer to a producer. Equinox Gold bought Mesquite from New Gold Inc. for a cash payment of US$158 million. The acquisition was funded from a combination of debt and equity, as described in the September 19, 2018 press release. The mine is fully staffed and production proceeded without interruption during the ownership transition.
| Mine Type | Open-pit heap leach |
| Operating Since | 1985 |
| Current P&P Reserve | 1.1 Moz @ 0.54 g/t Au |
| Current M&I Resource * | 1.2 Moz @ 0.46 g/t Au |
| Remaining Mine Life | ~4-5 years + residual leaching |
| Annual Production | Avg. ~135,000 oz gold |
| Mining Rate | ~54,500 tpd ore to leach pad |
| Leaching Cycle | 90 days |
| Strip Ratio | 2.6:1 |
| Recoveries | 75% oxide / 35% non-oxide ores |
| AISC | ~US$950/oz |
* Resources are in addition to Reserves.
Mesquite is a producing, open-pit, run-of-mine (“ROM”) heap leach gold mine located in Imperial County, California with a long history of successful operations. Mining is performed using owner-operated conventional truck and shovel open-pit mining methods and ROM ore is hauled directly to the leach pad for processing. The mine has produced more than four million ounces of gold since it commenced operations in 1985 with average annual gold production of approximately 135,000 ounces over the last 10 years at average AISC of approximately US$870 per ounce, based on New Gold’s public disclosure.
In the first half of 2018, Mesquite produced 64,900 ounces of gold at an AISC of US$864 per ounce. Based on the last reserve/resource estimate published by New Gold in December 2017, Mesquite hosts 1.1 million ounces of proven and probable gold reserves at a gold grade of 0.54 g/t gold, with additional measured and indicated gold resources of 1.2 million ounces at a gold grade of 0.46 g/t gold. Equinox Gold believes that potential exists to extend the mine life with resource conversion and exploration success, and has identified a number of opportunities to increase recoveries and production by optimizing the leaching process.
Equinox Gold will publish a National Instrument 43-101 technical report for Mesquite, including an updated mine plan and reserve/resource estimate, in March 2019.
At Western Mesquite Mines (Mesquite), the health and safety of our employees is of paramount importance. Our safety management systems are the reason for an enviable long-term safety performance record. Continual attention and diligence in observation, inspection and auditing systems helps to ensure compliance and improvement. Our Health and Wellness programs continue to grow in participation, far surpassing regulatory requirements and industry standards.
The Mesquite mine is a long-standing member of the local community, and we strive to maintain our strong reputation while forging new relationships with key decision makers. We have ongoing outreach efforts with the community, and provide informational programs for community organizations, service clubs and schools. We make regular community presentations to maintain a two-way dialogue with our local stakeholders. We remain in regular contact with federal and state regulators, regional mining and mineral enthusiasts, and community-based organizations.
Mesquite Mine is committed to conducting mining activities in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. We strive to protect the environment by implementing programs that minimize and mitigate our impact to the environment.
Mesquite persistently monitors energy consumption and implements best management practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, attain energy efficiency and minimize our environmental footprint. To maintain air quality in the arid Imperial Valley, we routinely monitor dust and apply dust-suppression technologies, where appropriate, to ensure we remain within our regulatory limits.
Mesquite recycles waste whenever possible including scrap metal, batteries, paper, cardboard, fluorescent lights and used oil; all wastes are treated according to laws and regulations.
Mesquite is a member of the International Cyanide Code and through the extensive certification process, demonstrates its commitment to manage cyanide in a responsible manner.
At Mesquite, we are progressive when it comes to reclamation activities on disturbed land. Reclamation begins immediately when the land is no longer used for mining.