Lundin restarting operations at Fruta del Norte gold mine

The Fruta del Norte deposit is located within a 95,000-hectare land package in southeastern Ecuador. Photo: Lundin Gold

Lundin Gold Inc. has restarted operations at its Fruta del Norte project in Ecuador after suspending operations on March 22 due to the pandemic.

The company says a seven-day quarantine period followed by a negative test for the virus is required before an employee or contractor will be allowed to enter Fruta del Norte.

Based on a projected mill ramp up to 3,500 t/d over the next two months, FDN is expected to generate 150,000 oz. to 170,000 oz. of gold in the second half of this year, for an expected total of 200,000 oz. to 220,000 oz. in 2020.

In the second half of this year, the mill throughput is expected to average 3,200 t/d at a head grade of 10 g/t gold.