Santa Fe gets nod for Twin Creeks

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has approved plans to expand the Twin Creek gold mine in northern Nevada.

The decision allows owner Santa Fe Pacific Gold (GLD-N) to expand the pit and thereby gain greater access to a large portion of refractory reserves.

Refractory ore will be processed at the Sage mill, where oxide ore is already being processed. The refractory circuit is part of a US$250 million sulphide expansion project. The autoclave has a capacity to process 1.5 million tons per year.

Chairman Patrick James says Santa Fe has cleared another hurdle in its efforts to produce 1 million oz. gold in 1997 and 1.2 million oz. in 1998.