Since 1988, LaRonde has been Agnico-Eagle’s flagship operation, producing more than 4 million ounces of gold as well as valuable byproducts. The mine still has 4.8 million ounces of gold in proven and probable reserves* (35 million tonnes at 4.3 g/t) – among the largest gold reserves operating in Canada.
The 7,200-tonne-per-day mine and plant are expected to produce 157,000 ounces of gold in 2011 and average about 290,000 ounces of gold annually from 2012 through 2015, with a mine life lasting through to 2023.
Access to the underground mining operation is through the 2.2-kilometre-deep Penna Shaft, believed to be the deepest single-lift Shaft in the Western Hemisphere. The ore is processed at the LaRonde mineral processing complex, which includes copper and zinc flotation as well as precious metals recovery and refining.
The processing plant produces doré bars containing gold and silver, as well as zinc and copper concentrates that also carry valuable gold and silver credits.
In 2006, Agnico-Eagle began to construct a deep extension of the mine to access higher-grade ore to a depth of about 3.1 kilometres and extend the life of the operation.
* Source LaRonde December 31, 2010 Reserves and Resources
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In 2006, Agnico-Eagle began to construct a deep extension of the LaRonde mine. The work involves sinking an 835-metre-long internal shaft extending downward from the Penna Shaft, and constructing ramps to enable mining down to 3 kilometres or more. The project includes an expansion of the mill facilities.
Initial production from the extension is expected in late 2011, with full production rate reached in 2013. From 2012 through 2015, the plan is to mill about 6,500 tonnes of ore per day at an average gold grade of approximately 4.1 grams per tonne, resulting in annual production of approximately 290,000 ounces. For the same period, annual byproduct production is expected to average 1.8 million ounces of silver, 6,100 tonnes of copper and 15,400 tonnes of zinc.
The Company is considering the possibility of mining the Bousquet Zone 5 by open pit, located 3 kilometres west of the LaRonde mine. An initial open pit inferred resource estimate of 18.8 million tonnes grading 1.87 g/t gold has been announced for Zone 5 as of December 31, 2010; a scoping study is expected to be completed in the second half of 2011.
1979 – Agnico-Eagle buys shares in Dumagami Mines Ltd., which owns the rights to the property that hosts the LaRonde operation.
1982 – Dumagami begins a two-phase exploration program.
1985 – The initial study determines that the existing gold deposit is uneconomic, and a decision is made to stop the program. Shortly afterwards, the exploration team discovers a new gold zone at the 180-metre level, which yields promising results.
1986 – Further exploration confirms the earlier high-grade gold values.
1988 – The mine goes into commercial production. It is named LaRonde in honour of Don LaRonde who was instrumental in the project.
1992 – Dumagami transfers all of its property and assets, including the mine, to Agnico-Eagle, and is subsequently dissolved.
2002 – The mine completes its fourth expansion, increasing throughput to approximately 7,200 tonnes per day.
2006 – Construction begins on the higher-grade deep extension of LaRonde.
2009 – Extension shaft reaches final depth of 2.8 kilometres below surface.