La Teko resumes production at gold mine near Fairbanks

Gold production has resumed at La Teko Resources’ Ryan Lode mine near Fairbanks, Alaska. A dore bar weighing 278 oz was poured June 20 and a second was scheduled by month- end. Over 1,000 oz of gold has been captured in carbon columns and President T. E. Babcock notes the production is from “1987 heaps which were not fully leached during the 1987 season.”

Last year, 74,000 tons of ore was placed on leach pads and this season’s target is 100,000 tons. The grade is expected to exceed 0.1 oz gold per ton and leaching is under way.

Waste removal has been completed and present pad capacity is sufficient for 75,000 tons of ore.

The loading of leach pads has been delayed because of problems obtaining reagents, late delivery of a new crusher plant and mechanical problems with new equipment. “All of these problems are now behind us,” he claims.

This year’s heaps will be built lower and changes to the agglomeration system should produce a better product. The mill has been expanded and a new stripping unit and a more efficient electrolytic circuit has been installed, he points out.