Phu Kham Copper-Gold Operation (LAOS)

Phu Kham Copper-Gold deposit is located approximately 120km north of the Lao capital Vientiane. The deposit lies beneath an oxide gold cap which is the ore source for the Heap Leach Gold operation.

Production of copper-gold concentrate at Phu Kham commenced in April 2008, ahead of schedule and within 5% of the US$241M capital budget.

The mine will initially process 12Mtpa of ore (in 2009) through a conventional flotation plant to produce approximately 215,000 dry metric tonnes (dmt) of concentrate, containing 53,000 tonnes of copper, between 50,000 ounces and 55,000 ounces of gold* and between 300,000 ounces and 400,000 ounces of silver.

By 2012, PanAust plans to have completed implementation of an expansion to increase throughput from 12Mtpa to 16Mtpa. This would allow annual production to be maintained above 70,000 during periods of lower grade ore feed.

The Phu Kham deposit is open at depth and to the north.

Exploration drilling immediately to the north of the Phu Kham deposit has intersected copper-gold mineralisation, highlighting the potential for defining additional copper-gold resources close to the existing operation.

Phu Kham concentrate is exported to custom smelters.

*Includes Healp Leach gold production.

 

    Phu Kham Copper-Gold Operation
  • Information

    •
  • PanAust 90%

  • Open Pit Copper-Gold Bulk Flotation Operation:

  • Commenced production in April 2008

  • Nominal Ore Treatment Rate:

  • Phase 1: 12 million tpa
  • Phase 2: 16 million tpa

  • Annual Production:

  • Phase 1: 2010/2011
  • Between 60,000 and 70,000 tonnes copper
  • 55,000 to 65,000 ounces gold
  • 600,000 to 700,000 ounces silver
  • Phase 2:
  • >70,000 tonnes copper
  • 65,000 ounces gold
  • 600,000 ounces silver

  • Concentrate Product:

  • Exported to third-party smelters

  • Ore Reserves:
    (Summary as at 31 December 2008)

  • 0.96 million tonnes copper
  • 1.23 million ounces gold
  • 9.6 million ounces silver

  • Mineral Resources:
    (Summary as at 31 December 2008)

  • 1.26 million tonnes copper
  • 1.53 million ounces gold
  • 12.6 million ounces silver

  • Find out more about
    Phu Kham Copper-Gold
  • > Read more in the 2008 Annual Review
    > Read more in the latest releases

Operations, Projects
 and Exploration