Serra Grande, Brazil

Overview and locality

Mineração Serra Grande (MSG or Serra Grande) is wholly owned by AngloGold Ashanti and is located in the northwest of Goiás State, central Brazil.

The Serra Grande operation comprises three underground mines, namely Mina III (including orebody IV, V and Ingá), Mina Nova (including Pequizão orebody) and Mina Palmeiras. The open pits mine the outcrop of Mina III Inferior and Structure IV zones, and Pequizão. Three mining methods are used underground: sub-level stoping (bottom-up and top-down), cut and fill, and room and pillar.

One dedicated metallurgical plant, with an annual capacity of 1.5Mt, treats all ore mined.

A brief history

• Exploration began in 1973 with a phase of detailed mapping and diamond drilling, which continued until 1976.
• The mining operation started up in 1986 in Mina III and the metallurgical plant start-up was in 1989.
• Annual production peaked at 193,000oz in 2006, supported by high grades.
• In 2009, the metallurgical plant was expanded to 1.3Mtpa to compensate for a declining grade-profile.
• In 2012, AngloGold Ashanti acquired the 50% stake that belonged to the Kinross Group.