The Çöpler gold mine in Turkey is operated by Alacer Gold and is currently an open-pit, heap-leach operation that is producing gold from oxide ore. The Copler orebody also contains refractory sulphide ore that requires a different processing solution than heap-leaching to extract the gold. In June 2014 a DFS was completed and determined that the treatment of the sulphide ore via pressure oxidation provided the best economic return. In May 2016 construction commenced on the Çöpler Sulfide Expansion Project and first gold pour is expected in the third quarter of 2018, providing the next stage of growth for Alacer.
The picture shows the acidulation area, decant POX feed thickeners.
| Çöpler Sulfide Expansion Project (1) | |
| First gold pour expected | Third quarter 2018 |
| Pre-production capital | $744 million |
| Estimated mine life | 20 years |
| Life-of-Mine production | 4 Moz |
| All-in sustaining costs | $645/oz |
| After-tax NPV at 5% | $728 million |
| After-tax IRR | 19.2% |
| Project payback | Three years from start of sulphide production |
(1) On 100% basis