La Libertad Mine – Nicaragua (1)
La Libertad Mine is located in La Libertad-Santo Domingo Region in Central Nicaragua, approximately 110 km due east of the country's capital city, Managua. Click here for mine/project location map.
B2Gold acquired its first gold development project, La Libertad Gold Project, through a merger with Central Sun Mining Inc. in March 2009. Previously a heap-leach mine, operations at La Libertad Mine were suspended in 2007 as a re-evaluation of the project indicated that gold recoveries could be greatly improved using a conventional milling operation. Following construction of a SAG and ball mill grinding circuit, as well as carbon-in-pulp recovery tanks and a tailings impoundment, La Libertad Mine was reopened by B2Gold and achieved commercial production on February 1, 2010, on schedule. Click here for La Libertad Mine overview.
Recent Updates:
Q2 2018 Performance Snapshot:
- Gold production(2) was 21,408 oz
- Cash operating costs(3) were $875/oz, 1% below budget
- All-in sustaining costs ("AISC")(3) were $1,200/oz, 2% below budget
FH 2018 Performance Snapshot:
- Gold production(2) was 40,775 oz
- Cash operating costs were $945/oz
- AISC were $1,262/oz, 14% below budget
Click here for B2Gold's Q2 & FH 2018 Earnings news release, dated August 7, 2018
Looking Forward:
- Based on B2Gold's original guidance, La Libertad Mine was projected to produce between 115 Koz - 120 Koz of gold in 2018, at cash operating costs of between $745 - $790/oz and AISC of between $1,050 - $1,100/oz. However, La Libertad is now projected to produce between 90 Koz - 95 Koz(2,4)
- Production from the Jabali Antenna underground project is now anticipated to commence at the end of Q3 2018
- B2Gold is currently updating its life of mine plan for La Libertad based on revised estimates for the timing of expected production from its existing ore sources and the expected timing for bringing Jabali Antenna open pit and underground online
Click here for La Libertad Exploration & Development section
Health, Safety & Environment:
- Safety performance: As at December 31, 2017, a 50% reduction in Lost-Time-Injury frequency rate – 2016 (1.7) v 2017 (0.8)
- Click here for B2Gold's 2017 Responsible Mining Report, Raising the Bar
Mine/Project Location Map:
Mine Overview (as at June 30, 2018):
| Q2 2018 Production, Cash Costs, Revenue & Sales: | |
|---|---|
| Q2 2018 gold production | 21,408 oz |
| Q2 2018 cash operating costs | $875 /oz |
| Q2 2018 AISC | $1,200 /oz |
| Q2 2018 gold revenue | $26,638 |
| Q2 2018 gold sales | 20,484 oz |
| Q2 2018 average realized gold price | $1,300 /oz |
| FH 2018 Production, Cash Costs, Revenue & Sales: | |
| FH 2018 gold production | 40,775 oz |
| FH 2018 cash operating costs | $945 /oz |
| FH 2018 AISC | $1,262 /oz |
| FH 2018 gold revenue | $51,475 |
| FH 2018 gold sales | 39,042 oz |
| FH 2018 average realized gold price | $1,318 /oz |
| Q2 2018 Processing: | |
| Q2 2018 tonnes of ore milled | 0.56 M |
| Q2 2018 grade | 1.25 g/t |
| Q2 2018 recovery | 95.1% |
| FH 2018 Processing: | |
| FH 2018 tonnes of ore milled | 1.13 M |
| FH 2018 grade | 1.21 g/t |
| FH 2018 recovery | 93.9% |
| 2018 Guidance: | |
| 2018 E gold production | 90 Koz-95 Koz |
| 2018 E cash operating costs | $745-$790 /oz |
| 2018 E AISC | $1,050-$1,100 /oz |
| 2018 E tonnes of ore milled (budget) | 2.3 M (average) |
| 2018 E grade (budget) | 1.76 g/t (average) |
| 2018 E recovery (budget) | 94% (average) |
| 2018 exploration budget | $5 M |
| 2019 Guidance: | |
| 2019 E gold production(2) | 125 Koz-135 Koz |
| General Information: | |
| Location | Nicaragua |
| Mine type | Open pit/underground |
| Metals mined | Gold |
| Ownership | 100% |
| Processing plant | Cyanide leach/Carbon-in-pulp process |
| Power | Purchased from the grid with diesel powered back-up |
| Number of employees for La Libertad/El Limon (not including contractors) | 1,066 |
| Local employee workforce | 98% |
| Mineral Reserve & Resource Estimates (Contained Gold): | |
| Probable Mineral Reserves (100% attributable)(5) | 0.08 Moz |
| Indicated Mineral Resources (100% attributable)(5) | 0.21 Moz |
| Inferred Mineral Resources (100% attributable)(5) | 0.45 Moz |
Supporting Documents:
For the latest details and news releases pertaining to La Libertad Mine:
- Click here for 'B2Gold Reports Positive Second Quarter & First-Half 2018 Results; Strong Growth in Gold Production/Revenues and Operating Cash Flows; Significant Beat Against Budget for Cash Operating Costs and AISC' news release, dated August 7, 2018
- Click here for 'B2Gold Announces an Increased Exploration Budget at the Fekola North Extension Zone, Mali; and Updates on El Limon and La Libertad Mines, Nicaragua' news release, dated June 28, 2018
For a more detailed overview of La Libertad Mine, please refer to the following, most recent company documents:
- Click here for Q2 2018 Management’s Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A")(6)
- Click here for Q2 2018 Financial Statements(6)
- Click here for Annual Information Form ("AIF") 2018, dated March 23, 2018(6)
Mineral Resource & Mineral Reserve Estimates:
Click here for Summary of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates
