ABSTRACT
Kinross Gold Corporation is one of the largest gold producers in the world. The company has projects and operations in Brazil, Chile, United States, Ecuador, South Africa, and Russia. In Brazil, Kinross operates the Paracatu Morro do Ouro gold mine in Minas Gerais state, and a joint venture in Crixás, Goias state. The Morro do Ouro Mine has been in operation since 1987. The mine is being expanded from 30 to 61 million tons (Mt) per year. This will involve the gradual expansion of the current mine pit footprint, and the development of the pit below the water table throughout the life of the mine. The local climate is tropical, with an annual rainfall of 900-1800 mm distributed mainly during the November-March rain season, and temperatures ranging from 17.3 to 29.1 ºC (average 22.6 °C). The open pit comprises a generally flat-lying formation of silver-grey to dark grey phyllites and siltstones containing varying amounts of segregated quartz. The hilltop is capped by remnants of a laterite layer and the rocks are heavily weathered and oxidized. Beneath the oxidized ore there is a layer of fresh sulfide ore. The host rock is a dark grey phyllite with quartz boudins, graphite [C], around 2% sulfides occurring as pyrite [FeS2],
stage of construction. This new impoundment, west of the Santo Antonio tailings impoundment, has accumulated runoff water since 2010. Tailings placement is scheduled to commence in 2012.
