La Colorada up and running

The heapleach sprinklers have been turned on at La Colorada, a gold mine near Hermosillo, Mexico.

Eldorado (TSE) is earning a 70% interest from Minera Sotula S.A. de C.V. by placing the project in production.

More than 50,000 tons grading 0.046 oz. gold per ton have been loaded onto the pad and the first pour is expected in early January.

Initial mining is taking place in the zone known as El Creston. It is estimated to contain minable reserves of 2.8 million tons grading 0.039 oz. La Colorada is expected to produce about 22,000 oz. of gold in 1994 at a cash cost of US$150 per oz.

The project is Mexicos newest gold mine and one of only three operating heap-leach mines in the country.