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
Reserves1.0 moz @ 0.57 g/t gold
Resources1.9 moz @ 0.46 g/t gold (exclusive of reserves)
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 | 1.0 Moz @ 0.57 g/t Au |
| Current M&I Resource * | 1.9 Moz @ 0.46 g/t Au |
| Remaining Mine Life | ~4-5 years + residual leaching |
| Annual Production | ~150,000 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 exclusive of 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.
Mesquite produced approximately 140,000 ounces of gold in 2018 of which 25,601 ounces were attributable to Equinox Gold, generating revenue of $30.2 million. In Q1-2019 Mesquite produced 23,310 ounces of gold generating revenue of $35.4 million. More information is available in the Q4-2018 and Q1-2019 financials and MD&A.
In 2019 Equinox Gold expects to produce between 145-160,000 ounces of gold at Mesquite at all-in sustaining costs of $950-$1,000/ounce. The Company has identified a number of optimization and exploration opportunities that could extend the mine life, as outlined in the March 19, 2019 press release and section 24 of the new Mesquite Technical Report.
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.