Highland Gold Boosts Darasun Mine Capacity and Gold Production
Highland Gold (HGM) has announced a significant enhancement in the operational capacity of its Darasun mine's gold extraction plant, increasing its throughput to 300,000 tonnes of ore annually. With plans to further augment this figure by an additional third to 400,000 tonnes, the company is poised for a marked increase in production efficiency.
The expansion is part of a comprehensive technical upgrade that includes the installation of new flotation, conveyor, gravity and grinding equipment, as well as thickeners and desorption units. These upgrades have facilitated a notable improvement in the mine’s recovery rate, which has risen to 84%.
Historically, the Talatui open pit mine has been the principal ore source for Darasun since the closure of its underground operations. In 2023, the Talatui deposit yielded 104,000 tonnes of ore, with the Darasun plant processing 256,000 tonnes, culminating in the production of nearly 0.5 tonnes of gold.
Evgeny Borovikov, Managing Director of the mine, highlighted the significance of these developments, noting that the Darasun mine has not seen such high production levels since 2009. "The active development of the Talatui open pit has been instrumental. Thanks to ongoing open-pit mining operations and technical advancements, the plant has maintained consistent gold production, now nearing 100kg per month," Borovikov stated. He also mentioned the extension of the license for the Talatuyskoye deposit until 2032, underscoring the potential for further expansion of its resource base.
