Laos starts operations at newly discovered gold mine
A newly discovered underground gold mine in Laos that has just begun operations is expected to significantly bolster mineral production in the country and bring economic and social benefits, operator Lane Xang Minerals Limited (LXML), a leading mineral producer in Laos, said in a statement at the opening ceremony on May 16.
With resources of 9.5 million tonnes and ore production projected to increase from 400,000 tonnes in 2023 to 1.2 million tonnes per annum thereafter, the “Discovery Deeps Underground Mine” is part of the Sepon mine, one of the largest open-pit gold and copper mines in the world, located in Laos’ Savannakhet province. It is expected to extend Sepon’s mine life by at least seven years to 2030, LXML said.
Production to start in second half 2023
Underground exploration and development will continue at Sepon until 2023, with production from the underground mine poised to start in the second half of 2023. The underground mine will extend 450 meters below the surface, and the decline access tunnel will be more than 1,800 meters long and have a width and height of five meters to accommodate modern underground excavation and drilling equipment, the operator said.
“This new development will use modern underground mining equipment and advanced mining techniques to transfer knowledge and skills to Lao employees and contractors and set new standards for underground mining,” LXML general manager Paul Harris noted.
Contribution to poverty reduction through community development
The discovery and expected increase in production would contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable development in host communities, he added.
LXML has been operating the Sepon mine since 2003. Over the past two decades, the company has contributed over $1.6 billion in direct revenue through taxes and royalties to the Lao government and “hundreds of millions of dollars” in indirect benefits through community development, employment and training, it noted.
The miner is owned by China’s Chifeng Jilong Gold Mining by 90 per cent and the Lao Government by ten per cent.
[caption id="attachment_38470" align="alignleft" width="300"] Opening ceremony for the new underground mine in Savannakhet, Laos on May 16[/caption] A newly discovered underground gold mine in Laos that has just begun operations is expected to significantly bolster mineral production in the country and bring economic and social benefits, operator Lane Xang Minerals Limited (LXML), a leading mineral producer in Laos, said in a statement at the opening ceremony on May 16. With resources of 9.5 million tonnes and ore production projected to increase from 400,000 tonnes in 2023 to 1.2 million tonnes per annum thereafter, the “Discovery Deeps Underground Mine” is part...
A newly discovered underground gold mine in Laos that has just begun operations is expected to significantly bolster mineral production in the country and bring economic and social benefits, operator Lane Xang Minerals Limited (LXML), a leading mineral producer in Laos, said in a statement at the opening ceremony on May 16.
With resources of 9.5 million tonnes and ore production projected to increase from 400,000 tonnes in 2023 to 1.2 million tonnes per annum thereafter, the “Discovery Deeps Underground Mine” is part of the Sepon mine, one of the largest open-pit gold and copper mines in the world, located in Laos’ Savannakhet province. It is expected to extend Sepon’s mine life by at least seven years to 2030, LXML said.
Production to start in second half 2023
Underground exploration and development will continue at Sepon until 2023, with production from the underground mine poised to start in the second half of 2023. The underground mine will extend 450 meters below the surface, and the decline access tunnel will be more than 1,800 meters long and have a width and height of five meters to accommodate modern underground excavation and drilling equipment, the operator said.
“This new development will use modern underground mining equipment and advanced mining techniques to transfer knowledge and skills to Lao employees and contractors and set new standards for underground mining,” LXML general manager Paul Harris noted.
Contribution to poverty reduction through community development
The discovery and expected increase in production would contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable development in host communities, he added.
LXML has been operating the Sepon mine since 2003. Over the past two decades, the company has contributed over $1.6 billion in direct revenue through taxes and royalties to the Lao government and “hundreds of millions of dollars” in indirect benefits through community development, employment and training, it noted.
The miner is owned by China’s Chifeng Jilong Gold Mining by 90 per cent and the Lao Government by ten per cent.
