The feasibility study for the Gold Fields Salares Norte project is tracking well for completion by the end of 2018, says the company in its full year 2017 report. The interim results from the feasibility study indicate the following metrics for the project:

• Resource of 23.3 Mt at 4.9 g/t Au and 66.0 g/t Ag, with 95% in the indicated category (majority of which are oxide material);
• Annual throughput: 2 Mt/y;
• Life of mine gold equivalent production: c.3.5Moz – front ended;
• AISC: $575 per gold equivalent ounce; and
• Project capex: $850 million (+/-5%).

“The project envisages open pit operations with a processing plant that includes both CIP and Merrill Crowe processes, due to the high silver content. Dry stack tailings are expected to be used. Water and Land Rights are already secured and permitted for the future operational stage. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) is expected to be lodged with the Chilean authorities during April 2018. $83 million is budgeted for 2018, which includes $13 million for district exploration.